Hello,
And welcome to the first day of Restmas.
This meditation begins your 21-day experience of cultivating more rest as you navigate this busy season.
You may return to this meditation at any point during the next three weeks and beyond to help ground you in the present moment and find more ease,
Joy,
And presence in the holiday season this year.
To start,
Find a comfortable position to be in for a while.
Sit tall with your back supported and your feet on the ground,
Or if you'd prefer,
Go ahead and lay down.
Begin by taking a few deep breaths in through your nose,
And out through your mouth.
Again,
In through your nose,
And out through your mouth.
And one more time,
Breathing in through your nose,
And out through your mouth.
Now just let your breathing settle into a normal rhythm,
And bring your awareness to your body,
Scanning gently from head to toe,
And just noticing what is present here for you in this moment.
Reserve any judgement for what you might be feeling.
This is just about awareness for now.
And now I'm going to offer some phrases.
You might choose to repeat them after me,
Or simply allow my words to land in your body.
I am enough.
I am worthy of rest.
I deserve to rest.
Rest is productive.
It is safe for me to slow down.
It is safe for me to be present in my body.
It is safe for me to rest.
I am allowed to rest.
I am allowed to set boundaries.
It is safe for me to do so.
Boundaries are healthy for me and those I love.
I am not responsible for other people's feelings.
How others perceive me is not relevant here.
I do not need to do it all.
It is safe for me to ask for help.
My rest is not less important than anyone else's.
I am allowed to rest.
I deserve to rest.
I am worthy of rest.
I am enough.
Beginning at the crown of your head,
Scanning your awareness once again down through your body,
Notice how you feel.
Notice any tension that is now present or perhaps that has now released.
What has changed?
What has shifted for you?
Was it easy to say these things?
Was there resistance?
Do you believe them?
Pay attention to how you feel as you move into your day and repeat any of these phrases that felt powerful.
Allow your attention to land for a few moments back on your breath.
The gentle rhythm in and out might bring some movement to your fingers and toes.
Perhaps you stretch arms over your head and make any motions or movements with your body that feel good as you bring your awareness slowly back to the room that you are in.
When you feel ready,
You can open your eyes.
I hope that this practice has felt nourishing and that you are able to weave moments of sacred stillness through the rest of your day.
I look forward to spending the next 21 days with you as we journey through restlessness and beyond.
