Specifically,
I want to focus on the sound my daughter makes when she's walking around the house.
I call it her stomp.
I usually get a little reflective around her birthday and pull out some of her photo books to reflect back on the memories.
I found a letter I wrote to her on her first birthday and I love how this letter wouldn't change even if I wrote it today.
I wrote,
You're eager to explore the world with your newfound freedom.
Your excitement for life is so contagious.
It is exciting to see the world through your eyes.
Even as we watch you grow into who you are meant to become.
The stomping represents this eagerness to explore her world with newfound freedom.
At age one,
It was about learning to walk.
At age 16,
It will be learning to drive.
Although I may occasionally complain about the stomp,
I really wouldn't change it for anything.
Some days soon that stomp may soften or change or move to its own house.
So for now,
In this present moment,
I will honor the stomp.
It is my reminder of her strength.
It is a reminder of my strength.
It is my reminder of her determination and it is a reminder of my own determination.
I am grateful for the stomp as it means she is here safe and she is at home.
It means she is strong and determined on her mission,
Whatever it may be.
So stomp my sweet girl with your strength and determination and become who you were meant to become.
Consider what are your own stomps.
What are your strengths?
What is your determination?
What is your present moment sounds that keep you going?
I will now take you through a guided meditation.
At the end of the meditation,
You'll hear a soft bell.
It is important to come out of the meditation slowly and to take your time.
There's no rush.
I will be here guiding you through the entire process.
The theme of this meditation is embracing your strength and your determination.
Mindfulness is about engaging your attention in the present moment on what you are experiencing without judgment.
Let us center our attention and bring awareness to the present moment.
Let us center our attention and bring awareness to strength and determination.
Explore this meditation with mindful curiosity as you become mindful of your body,
Mindful of your environment,
Mindful of your strength,
And as you maintain a gentle present moment awareness.
Start by finding a comfortable position and let us settle into our breath.
Placing your feet flat on the ground with your hands resting comfortably in your lap or if you're sitting on a cushion,
Find a comfortable position with your hands resting comfortably in your lap.
Placing your eyes if you prefer and become present and relaxed in this moment.
Observe the sensations of the body and notice what you are hearing.
Observe the sounds of this present moment.
As you become more relaxed,
Notice the chatter of your mind starting to quiet.
When your mind wanders,
Come back to your strength in this present moment.
Being mindful of anything getting in your way and let it go on the next exhale breath.
Really release any tension you notice.
Letting go of anything that might be getting in the way of you being here in this present moment.
Knowing it's okay to have thoughts and when a thought occurs,
Simply notice the thought without judgment and then simply let the thought go on the next exhale breath.
Allow each area of your body to settle into the breath.
Explore the sensations in your body mindfully with curiosity and without judgment.
Simply engaging your attention in the present moment on what you are experiencing without judgment.
For this meditation,
Let us welcome everything and simply let go of any expectations.
At any point during this meditation,
If your mind starts to wander,
Simply come back to your breath as an anchor of focus.
Remembering to be kind to yourself.
Consider your strength.
Notice where you feel your strength in your body.
Consider your determination.
Notice where you feel your determination in your body.
Notice the sounds in this present moment.
Consider what are your present moment sounds that give you strength and determination.
Maybe it's your heartbeat.
Maybe it's the laughter of your children.
Maybe it's the sound of your breath.
Maybe it's the wind howling outside.
Look upon the question,
Who are you meant to become?
Do not look for an answer.
Simply be present and still with the reflection.
We will take the next few moments in silence,
Giving you the opportunity to continue to focus your breath as you mindfully maintain a gentle present moment awareness.
I will keep track of the time as we take these moments of silence together.
So remember to stomp away my friend with your strength and determination and become who you were meant to become.
Keep your eyes closed as we integrate.
Bring your eyes closed as we integrate back from the meditation.
Take as much time as you need to come out of the meditation slowly and mindfully.
Start by wiggling your toes and fingers or any part of your body that feels right for you.
And when you're ready,
You can open your eyes.
Thank you for joining me in this meditation and I hope you enjoyed the experience.
May we honor the light,
Love,
Truth,
Strength,
Beauty,
And peace in all of us.
Namaste.
