Welcome.
Today's meditation is focused on creating internal grounding and strength.
When we experience difficult moments in life,
It can feel as if we are being taken by the wind and there is nothing to hold us in place.
Yet it is possible to find internal resilience that keeps us from being swept away by the difficulties of life.
So now I will invite you to find a comfortable standing or seated position with your feet rooted firmly on the ground.
Turn your attention inwards and start to notice any tension residing in your body.
Is your jaw clenched?
Are your shoulders lifted towards your ears?
Can you relax into yourself just a little bit more?
Take three deep breaths.
Inhale.
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Exhale.
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Inhale.
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Exhale.
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Inhale.
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Exhale.
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Inhale.
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Exhale.
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Next,
I will invite you to envision firm,
Thick roots growing from the bottom of your feet.
They reach deep into the earth,
Holding you firmly to the ground.
Perhaps like fingers,
They reach wide and far,
Creating even more stability.
If you are sitting,
Notice your body's other points of contact to the earth.
Perhaps your thighs connected to the chair,
Which is connected to the ground.
Your hips,
Your back.
Envision roots growing from each of these places as well.
With each point comes more groundedness.
Shift your attention upwards now to your legs,
Your torso.
Imagine these parts of your body as a firm,
Steady tree trunk.
Notice its strength,
Its unwavering nature.
The strongest of winds could not even shake it.
Now perhaps you move your attention upwards towards your shoulders,
Your head.
Maybe you envision branches growing from both of these places.
The branches reach upwards towards the sky,
Unapologetically taking up space in order to nourish their leaves in the sun.
Notice what it feels like to take up this space,
Branching out into the world as far as you can go,
Taking up space that is yours to take up.
And perhaps the wind may shake the leaves on these branches,
But the strength of the trunk and roots support them even on the windiest days.
Zoom your attention outwards now,
Taking in the entirety of your body that is now this magnificent tree.
Notice what it's like to feel rooted so firmly to the earth.
Take in the strength and stability of your trunk with its unwavering presence.
Feel into your branches,
Reaching confidently into the sky.
Spend a few more moments breathing in to this felt sense.
Inhale.
Exhale.
Inhale.
Exhale.
Inhale.
Exhale.
Know that this strength,
Resilience,
Groundedness,
Confidence is available to you at any time.
Perhaps when the winds of life are strong,
Return to this image of you as a tree.
Remember that you can persevere through those challenges.
Gently begin to shift your focus back to the room.
It's taking in the sounds around you.
Maybe you wiggle fingers and toe.
When you are ready,
Slowly blink your eyes open.
Before you get up,
Take a few moments more to revel in the felt sense of this exercise.
Knowing that you can come back to these feelings whenever you need.
Thank you for joining me in this meditation and I wish you peacefulness and strength throughout your day.
