For many of us,
We spend our lives living or being someone or something other than who we are,
In order to be loved,
Respected,
And chosen.
We hide ourselves,
We mask ourselves,
And we abandon ourselves out of the belief that who we are isn't good enough,
Isn't beautiful enough,
Isn't enough.
Living inauthentically,
Living in fear that if we allow others to see us as we truly are,
It won't be enough.
But what carries more hardship?
What carries more labor and requires more work?
Living in disguise and behind a mask,
Or living authentically in our full expression?
Settling into our breath and settling into our bodies,
I invite you,
If you haven't already,
To close your eyes or keep them open to a soft gaze.
Maybe softening the shoulders,
Unclenching the jaw,
Allowing your body to become fully present in the moment.
Taking a moment to scan your body and notice any parts of you that are tense or tight,
And using the breath to breathe into those parts and soften those parts.
Noticing the breath.
Using its natural rhythm.
On the in-breath,
Inviting life.
And on the out-breath,
Surrendering.
Each breath drawing us in closer towards our truth.
And together,
Taking a deep inhale in through the nose and then out through the mouth.
And again,
Taking a deep inhale in through the nose and out through the mouth.
Continuing this breath.
As if the only thing that you needed to do today was to breathe.
Taking a moment now,
Bringing into your mind's eye when you were taught that being you wasn't good enough.
Noticing the people or places you pretended for or performed for in order to be liked or accepted.
And maybe you begin to notice and remember what it feels like to be ignored,
To be rejected,
And for your existence to be denied.
Taking notice and taking inventory.
To learn and unlearn,
To remember,
To become aware.
Because when we are able to become aware of our unhealed wounds,
That's when the healing can begin.
And now allowing these words to wash over you.
If it feels right,
You may even repeat them out loud or quietly to yourself.
Noticing what each word feels like.
Which ones hit home and which ones bring you home to yourself.
I don't have to laugh when nothing is funny.
I don't have to apologize when I'm not sorry.
I don't have to agree with you if it doesn't feel right to me.
I don't have to be you.
It's okay to be me.
It is safe to be me.
It is enough to be me.
It is okay to be me.
I don't have to be happy when it's okay to be sad.
I don't always have to be nice when it's okay to set boundaries.
I don't have to say yes when it's okay to say no.
I don't have to be busy when it's okay to rest.
I don't have to be you.
It's okay to be me.
It is safe to be me.
It is enough to be me.
Placing our left hands over our hearts and our right hands over our stomachs.
Noticing our breathing and noticing our pulse.
Taking a moment now to affirm ourselves.
Setting an intention for how we wish to show up in our most authentic and fully expressed self.
And so maybe that sounds like I am enough.
I am strong.
I am whole.
I am complete.
I am me.
And now showering ourselves in gratitude.
Taking a moment to be grateful for one thing that makes you uniquely you.
Instead of focusing on what we aren't,
Let's give thanks for all that we are in this moment.
And together taking a deep inhale in through the nose and letting it all go through the mouth.
As this practice comes to an end,
We become present to our bodies,
Into our breath.
Coming back into the room,
Back to where we are.
Maybe we invite movement into our toes and our fingers.
Maybe we take a stretch.
Maybe coming back into this present moment.
And whatever feels right for you,
Slowly and gently opening your eyes and thanking yourself for being in practice.
And I thank you for that breath.
And thank you for coming through with us.
You
