Our tendency as humans can often be to remember things that we've done wrong,
Mistakes we've made,
And things we regret.
This practice isn't meant to deny that things can go wrong,
But if we look at ourselves or someone else and only think of the mistakes they've made,
We tend to reinforce this sense of us and them,
This separation.
In this practice,
We'll include at least one good thing in our thoughts as a way to build a bridge so that when we honestly and directly look at what is difficult,
It's more from a place of being side by side rather than across a gulf of separation.
So find a comfortable seat.
You might like to close the eyes or lower the gaze.
And begin by bringing to mind one good thing you did yesterday.
It doesn't need to be anything amazing or anything big.
It might be something as simple as holding the door open for someone or letting a driver in ahead of you in traffic.
Know that it's not conceited or arrogant to consider what you've done right.
It can be refreshing to appreciate the good inside yourself.
So sit with the memory of what you did right.
And if you can't think of something good,
No,
That's okay,
Too.
Being willing to do this practice is a way of supporting yourself.
And that in itself is something that you can appreciate as good.
And next,
Think of someone who's helped you.
Might be a mentor,
A colleague,
Maybe someone who has inspired you,
Even if you've never met them before.
And it may be easy and even natural to think to the good qualities of this person.
So spend a few moments appreciating these qualities,
Any acts of kindness,
Any good efforts of this person who's helped you.
Now bring to mind someone you've had some conflict or even difficulty with.
See if you can find some good reflected in the things they've done,
The choices that this person has made.
And if nothing comes to mind,
You can bring to mind another person.
Appreciating the good.
Know that you and each of these people you've considered have in common the desire for happiness and belonging.
We all have strong habits that can lead us away from happiness at times.
So we can choose to stay here now with the understanding that everybody wants to be happy.
Perhaps even getting a sense of a wider perspective,
A sense of connection to ourselves,
A sense of connection to others,
Inviting in this sense of space and equanimity as you prepare to step back into your day.
I wish you peace and possibility.
