Welcome.
This is a meditation on celebration and pride.
Sometimes pride is a complicated emotion to feel.
And so as a result of that,
Why don't we take this time to be with it together?
Let's begin by finding a position that feels supportive for your body.
You might sit.
Feel free to lie down or stand.
Whatever allows you to be present for yourself right now.
And if it feels all right,
Go ahead and allow your eyes to close or just soften your gaze.
And just taking a moment to notice that you're here.
Noticing the support beneath you.
That you are breathing.
And then take a slow breath in.
And a gentle breath out.
And if you'd like,
You might set a quiet intention for this time.
Considering what your system needs right now.
And how that need might be met.
And maybe the intention is to explore celebration and pride with curiosity and compassion.
Just let whatever is here be enough.
And so how are those words?
Celebration.
And then a gentle breath out.
Landing for you right now.
You might notice a mixed reaction.
Maybe some parts of you that learned that pride was unsafe.
That it led to criticism,
Punishment,
Or disconnection.
Parts that learned modesty or humility as a way to belong.
There may also be parts that long to be seen.
To be mirrored.
To be celebrated.
And there may also be parts that learned to carry accomplishments alone.
Without recognition.
Without celebration.
And if it feels right,
You could quietly let go.
And if you can quietly acknowledge to these parts,
Then of course you've learned this.
Of course,
There is conflict here.
Makes perfect sense.
And now if you're willing,
I invite you to bring to mind something that you have accomplished.
This could be something big.
Something you've been working towards for a long time.
Or it might be something a little bit more quiet.
Something visible to others.
Or something only a few people know about.
It could be recent.
Or it could also be something from long ago.
And right here,
Right now,
You don't need to minimize it.
And you don't need to explain it away.
You don't need to compare it to anyone else's path.
Just letting it be what it is.
Notice what it's like to name this accomplishment to yourself.
Notice what it's like to be a part of it.
Notice what happens in your body as you let yourself recognize it.
You might offer to yourself on the inside the words,
This mattered.
I did this.
And if pride is prison,
See if it'll be okay to let it be here in whatever form it takes.
Quiet or expansive.
Steady or tender.
And if pride,
For any reason at all,
Feels difficult,
Blocked,
Or in some way off-limits or incomplete,
Just go ahead and notice that.
It's really good information.
And as you stay with this accomplishment,
You may notice parts that become uncomfortable.
Parts that try to downplay or say it wasn't enough.
Parts that worry about being judged,
Resented,
Or abandoned.
These parts may have learned that celebrating yourself came with a cost.
You don't need to argue with them.
You don't need to push them away.
See if you can just notice them with some curiosity.
And you might let them know,
I see you.
I understand why you're here.
And you don't have to disappear for this to continue.
Now see if there's a part of you that's been waiting to be recognized.
A part that did hope that someone would notice.
And that wished that its accomplishments had been a success.
A part that's been mirrored or named.
And so you may gently ask this part,
What have you been longing to hear?
What words would matter the most to you?
If this part could have something whispered into its ear again and again,
What would those words be?
And take your time.
And when you're ready,
See if you can offer those words now.
Maybe whispering them softly,
Tenderly.
Or holding this part close to you.
Just repeating those words.
Allowing the part to receive these words in its own way.
And if it feels supportive,
You might now invite into your awareness those who celebrate you.
Your people,
Family,
Chosen family,
Community.
Maybe even those who aren't here right now,
But who would want to celebrate you.
And you don't need clear images.
A sense of them is enough.
Noticing what it's like to allow their love,
Their warmth,
And their pride in you to move through you.
And let all of this settle.
The accomplishment you named.
The pride that is present or emerging.
And the care that you've offered to the parts that struggle with being seen.
You know,
This kind of pride,
It doesn't separate you from others.
It doesn't make you less humble or less connected.
It allows you to belong without shrinking.
Take a deep breath in.
And as you exhale,
Feel whatever sense of celebration is here.
Allowing it to expand within you.
When you're ready,
Gently return to your space.
Letting the feeling of pride and celebration settle inside of you.
Noticing how it moves,
Rests,
Or expands in your body.
Thank you.
You
