So begin by sitting down square,
Legs and arms uncrossed.
Let your eyes close if that's comfortable for you.
Settling in.
Letting your shoulders go.
Feeling the weight of your hips and the solidity of your feet.
The density and strength of your whole body.
Take note of where you are.
How you feel today.
Are your heart and mind restless?
Sleepy?
Eager?
Sad?
Feel your body settling in,
The weight of it,
The substance of yourself.
Take note.
Where is your breath at this moment?
Is it rushed?
Uplifted?
Quiet or congested?
Just notice.
Don't evaluate that.
Just come to where you are at this very moment.
See if you can't slow down your heart rate and your breathing rate.
Even 10%,
Even 1% is good enough.
You are good enough for this day.
Notice and even count your toes from the smallest to the biggest.
See if you can notice each one.
Maybe give them a wiggle.
The top and bottom of your foot to your heel and ankle.
Are your feet bare?
Sandaled?
Socks?
Slippers?
Shoes?
Feel the strength and the cushion and the embrace of your clothes,
Your footwear.
Neat,
Huh?
Keeping you strong and steady and warm down there.
Protected.
Isn't that a blessing?
Returning to your breath.
The gentle inhale,
A slower exhale.
Slowing down maybe another 1 or 2%.
Steady.
Consider your leg.
From Achilles to calf,
Shin,
The back of your knee,
Your knee and your patella.
Quadricep,
Femur,
Hamstring.
And feel any clothes on your skin.
Pajamas,
Pants,
Shorts,
Maybe a blanket on top of you.
Comfortably insulating you from a world that's not always the right temperature for you.
Feel the weight of those garments,
Their solidity,
Their texture.
Take stock and feel gratitude that you are warmed and protected,
That your legs are secured by clothing.
Let your breath settle down,
Your body settle,
Your heart in the security of your clothing.
Come to your hips and your waist.
Notice any undergarments you may have.
The waistline of any pants or skirt.
Securing you,
Giving you a solid,
Strong center.
Mouth a little wow,
Internally or even out loud,
Just in gratitude for the ways in which your clothing protects your core.
Return to your breath,
Slowing down,
Getting easier and softer and softer and easier.
Think about the layers over your torso.
What shields and comforts your heart and lungs,
Digestive system,
Keeping it warm,
Cozy.
That's nice.
Might be layers,
A t-shirt,
A fuller shirt,
Sweater or a vest.
Just notice you're strong and supported,
Safe and warm.
Isn't that nice?
Offer up a word of gratitude,
A kind of prayer,
If you will,
Thank you,
Wow,
Internally or even out loud.
Notice what covers your arms.
From tricep to bicep,
Maybe down to your elbow or even covering your forearms to your wrist.
They can get cold too,
But perhaps your blessing this morning is just having something to cover them.
Keep your skin and your muscle warm,
Secure.
Feel the fabric of it.
Notice its weight.
Express your gratitude for those sleeves.
And when you have,
Return to your breathing ever slower,
Continually deeper.
We'll consider any accoutrements you might have,
Any accessories,
Gloves,
A scarf,
A mask,
A hat.
Keeping your extremities warm,
Holding in the heat of your body and blood,
Keeping your tips of your body safe from the weather.
Letting your body relax.
Give gratitude for any accessories you have and return to your breathing.
Slowly,
Deeply,
With ease.
With our last moments together,
Until you hear the closing bells,
Offer goodwill,
Wishes,
Prayer,
However you frame it,
That all beings may have clothing sufficient to their needs.
Transforming your gratitude into a willingness to serve others so that they may be safe,
Warm and sufficient.
Continuing to breathe and sending out that goodwill for others' welfare.
G post committee meeting
