Self-compassion.
Cultivating kindness and understanding towards oneself,
Especially during difficult times.
A gentle hand.
Take a quiet moment to settle in.
Take a deep breath in and a slow breath out.
Feel yourself arrive right here,
Right now.
Gently close your eyes or soften your gaze.
Self-compassion is about offering ourselves the same kindness and understanding we would give to a dear friend,
Especially during difficult times when we might be struggling or when things don't go as planned.
It's not self-pity but a warm gentle presence for ourselves.
Think for a moment.
How do you speak to yourself when you have made a mistake or when you're feeling stressed and anxious?
Now imagine a good friend telling you they're going through the same thing.
How would you speak to them?
Self-compassion is about bridging that gap.
It's about recognizing the struggle,
Imperfection and difficult emotions are part of being human.
We are not alone in our challenges.
Now let's invite a sense of self-compassion.
Place a hand over your heart or wherever feels comforting.
Feel the gentle warmth of your hand.
With each inhale,
Acknowledge any difficulty you might be feeling.
And with each exhale,
Offer yourself a gentle,
Silent phrase like,
May I be kind to myself or may I be at ease or it's okay to feel this.
This moment of self-compassion is available to us at all times.
You can offer yourself this gentle hand of comfort anytime you need it.
As you step into the rest of your day,
Carry this intention of self-compassion with you.
Remember to offer yourself the same loving kindness you deserve,
Especially when things are tough.
Take one more deep breath in and a slow breath out.
When you are ready,
Slowly open your eyes carrying this warmth of self-compassion and loving kindness with you.
You are loved,
You are cherished,
You are enough.
Thank you and have a beautiful rest of your day.
