How do you start your mornings?
Do you begrudgingly roll out of bed when babies or children demand it?
Do you go straight to sugar or coffee because yet again you haven't had a full night's sleep?
Do you lose yourself to social media first up in the morning before you even give yourself a chance to connect with yourself?
Today's morning meditation is designed to help you bring the focus back to you.
After all,
We can care for others way better when we take the time to care for ourselves first.
Rather than beginning your day with urgency,
Let's begin it with some quiet appreciation for the gifts of a new day.
While lying in bed or sitting in a chair,
Close your eyes and let your arms rest naturally by your side.
Begin breathing slowly in and out through your nose and draw your focus to this sensation.
Take five deep breaths.
Continue this breathing pattern but shift your focus to the space between your eyebrows or your third eye.
Take another five deep breaths.
Now,
Place your hands on your chest.
Inhale deeply through your nose and exhale through your mouth.
Breathe on the rising and falling of your chest and take five controlled breaths.
Rest your hands by your side and continue this breathing pattern but shift your attention back to your third eye.
Take five slow deep breaths.
Place your hands on your belly while continuing to inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth.
Concentrate on the rising and falling of your stomach.
Take five deep breaths here.
Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth.
Rest your hands back by your side and continue breathing deeply.
Take a moment to feel appreciation for your body that is preparing to carry you through another day.
Allow yourself to feel a deep gratitude for all that is ahead of you in this day.
All of those small moments of sweetness,
Watching your baby play or your child learn new things,
A hot cup of tea that you'll drink while it's still hot,
The crisp blue summer sky,
The breeze on your hot skin,
The sweet reprieve of nap time,
The juicy sweetness of your favorite fruit,
Cuddles on the couch.
Allow yourself to imagine and anticipate all of these tiny precious moments.
Birds chirping It is time to start to bring ourselves out of meditation now.
But as you start to prepare for your day,
See if you can keep these moments of gratitude close to your heart and close at hand for whenever you need them.
Perhaps when little people tantrum or when you feel your frustration rising,
Bring your awareness back to these small moments.
Let these small moments make your day and let any expectations of how your day should look or should go start to fall away.
When you're ready to start your day,
Slowly move into any stretches that may feel good for you.
Perhaps gently stretching through the neck,
Stretching the arms out wide.
And then when you're ready,
It's time to slowly open the eyes and start your day.
