Sometimes we can be our own worst enemies.
But it's time to start changing that narrative.
It's time to start befriending ourselves.
For much of my life I carried a harsh inner critic.
A voice that talked me down,
Made me doubt myself.
Maybe you've felt this way too and if so I want you to know that you're not alone.
In this meditation we're going to invite self-compassion and forgiveness into our heart.
Because the truth is I am enough.
You are enough.
We are enough.
So let's begin by settling in.
Find a comfortable position sitting upright either in a chair or in your favourite meditation posture.
And take a moment just to notice your space.
What textures can you feel around you?
What colours do you see?
What smells fill the air?
What sounds reach your ears?
Just be present with it all for a moment.
Now allow your eyes to soften.
Let your gaze blur as you slowly bring your attention inward.
Gently let your eyelid close.
Take a slow deep breath in and as you exhale through your nose let a small smile spread across your face.
Feel that smile grow wider and with it allow your neck and shoulders to soften.
Let the tension melt away and just begin to slow down your breathing.
Find a rhythm that feels natural to you.
If your breath feels rushed or uneven,
Simply adjust.
There's no need to force anything,
Just find a gentle flow that feels right for you.
And as you breathe focus on how good it feels to fill your lungs with the force of life on each inhale.
And on each exhale feel the weight of the day's tension wash away.
Now as you breathe here I invite you to silently repeat these words.
I am enough.
I am enough.
We are enough.
With every breath in you bring in more loving awareness.
With every breath out you release what no longer serves you,
Continuing to repeat I am enough.
I am enough.
We are enough.
And let these words settle into your heart.
Feel them create a new,
More compassionate relationship with yourself.
Because you are enough.
You are enough.
We are enough.
As your breath begins to get slower and slower,
If it feels good for you,
I invite you to visualise a mirror in front of you.
In this mirror you see your reflection looking back.
Gaze deeply into your own eyes and once again repeat I am enough.
I am enough.
We are enough.
And reach out and touch the mirror.
Imagine your hand meeting your reflection,
Connecting with that part of yourself that you sometimes forget to love and let that breath flow smoothly in,
Filling you with self-compassion and acceptance.
You are enough.
I am enough.
We are enough.
And as you hold this connection with your reflection,
Slowly let it begin to fade.
The mirror dissolves and as it does,
The textures of the room around you start to come back into focus.
Notice the colours,
The light,
The sounds and the support of the seat beneath you.
And just take a slow deep breath in and as you exhale,
Release with a gentle sigh.
Start to bring some movement back into your body,
Wiggling your fingers,
Your toes and let yourself ease back into the present moment,
Feeling grounded and refreshed.
Take one more deep breath in and as you exhale,
Let go of any remaining tension.
Now slowly open up your eyes.
Take a moment to adjust to the world again and just notice how you feel,
What's alive in you right now.
Carry whatever you've experienced here with you into your day,
Into your week,
Into your month and let this feeling of self-love and compassion guide you forward.
And remember,
You can return to this space any time you need a little more kindness towards yourself.
It's always here for you.
With love,
Jake
