Today's practice is focused on intention setting.
This practice is designed to be done first thing in the morning when you very first get out of bed.
And if you've never done intention setting before,
It can be a very powerful way to start your day.
The purpose of starting your day with intention is to shape how we show up in the world.
Whether that's in our work,
Our relationships,
Our family.
It helps us to align our thoughts and actions with our greater sense of purpose in this world.
I recommend doing this practice,
As I mentioned,
First thing as you get out of bed.
Feel free to brush your teeth,
Start your coffee,
But I do recommend avoiding looking at your phone,
Checking any emails,
Turning on the TV.
You really want to have as clean of a start as you can when doing this practice.
Let's get started.
Welcome to this new day.
You have a unique opportunity to set the course of your day through this short practice here this morning.
You have the power to connect to your greatest and highest intentions and make positive changes,
Not only in your own life,
But in the lives of those around you.
Start by settling in,
Whether that's seated or lying down.
Taking a few slow deep breaths in through the nose,
Filling up the lungs and belly,
And slowly releasing.
Once again,
In through the nose,
Out through the mouth.
Last time in through the nose.
And out through the mouth.
Taking a moment to reflect on your to do list for the day.
This may seem counterintuitive in a meditation practice,
But hang with me here.
Notice what thoughts,
Feelings and sensations come up for you.
When you start to think about all the things that need done,
Or all the things that you want to get done.
Where do you need to be?
What responsibilities do you have?
Who will you be interacting with?
What tasks and chores need done?
Our lives are incredibly busy.
And that will never stop.
But we can choose how we approach these busy days.
So for now,
Just noticing what comes up for you.
No judgment.
Okay.
Now placing the to do list aside.
I promise it will be there for you when you get done today.
Now taking a moment to reflect on how you'd like to approach your day today.
Who do you choose to be today?
What values do you want to bring to the forefront of all of your thoughts and actions?
Take a moment to sit with these questions and see what comes up.
You may say something along the lines of I choose to be.
.
.
Perhaps I choose to be patient.
I choose to be kind.
I choose to be grateful.
I choose to be joyful.
Feel free to use one of mine if it suits you.
Otherwise,
Think about what comes up for you.
Don't question it too much.
Just go with it.
How do you want to show up today?
And with this word or brief phrase in mind,
Start to reflect on what it might be to live your day today with that intention in your heart.
How might your day play out with this intention?
Notice how you feel as you think about this intention.
Notice the sensations in your body.
How we choose to live out our day.
Not only has impacts on ourselves,
But of course others.
There is so much power in living with intention.
Of course,
It's not always easy.
Inevitably,
Struggles will come up,
Challenges will face us.
And when they do,
Try to connect back to the feeling you've cultivated here this morning.
You may notice it in your heart and chest area,
A feeling of positivity,
Expansiveness,
Optimism.
Connect with that feeling and know that during difficult moments in your day,
You can come back to that feeling and choose your actions,
Thereby altering the course of your day.
Spending a few more moments with your intention here,
Solidifying the feeling in your body.
Taking a moment to extend some deep gratitude towards yourself for having made time for this today.
What a gift it is.
And when you're ready,
You can end your time in this reflection and start your beautiful day.
Thank you.
