Hello.
Welcome to Release the Day,
An evening reflection of a day gone by.
Each day is the most precious but most common gift that we have.
Today may have forever changed your life or been a nondescript blip in the grand story of your days.
Either way,
We want to be mindful of how we end this day realizing we will never get it back.
In this meditation,
We will release the day or maybe more importantly,
Let the day release you.
My name is Jess and I have wrestled with the daily ruminations or obsessing over the course of a day.
And I hope this time allows you to put your day to bed as you transition off of work or other responsibilities.
Before we jump in,
Take one minute to just feel your body,
To just feel yourself breathe,
To calm your heart and mind,
To feel your body in the movement of breath.
Be mindful of any sounds and thoughts that come.
Just for 60 seconds,
Be your own company and attention and let yourself feel whatever is going on in your heart and mind.
Breastfeeding.
Early on,
We learned to count using our fingers.
We are going to do the same today as a way of reflection and keeping track of who we were today.
We'll take 90 seconds.
If your mind wanders,
That's okay.
Just bring your attention back to your fingers and to the exercise.
Using your fingers,
Count the three most important things,
Good or challenging,
That you were involved in today.
There could be moments,
An event,
A decision,
A personal encounter.
It could be philosophical,
How you contributed to something good,
Something you regretted or that didn't go according to plan.
Don't overthink it and let what's on the top of your consciousness come out.
You don't need to get to three.
The point is just to name it and be mindful.
So take 90 seconds,
A minute and a half to think on what was most important about today.
You I hope you were able to identify a few things just now.
Could you say out loud what each finger represents?
Now pick one and meditate on why it raises to a level of central concern.
Why is it one of the most important things about today?
What does it say about you that this was so imperative?
You.
To move our attention to being mindful outside of ourselves.
Many of us see our lives through a lens of providence.
An outside force for good that impacts our lives.
What is one thing about your day today that seemingly shows the hand of providence in your life?
What went your way?
What or who surprised you that you were not expecting?
What clear insights did you gain from an event in your day?
Where did you see or feel the hand of providence and good on your life?
You.
You.
Now going back to you still remember your three things.
As you close your day,
Let's practice overt gratitude for at least one of them.
Choose one.
And if that one includes another person,
Tell that person text or reach out.
Or maybe it's expressing to God the gratitude.
Maybe it's starting a note on your phone to document these.
But take 45 seconds to identify not only what makes you grateful about today.
But what can you do with it?
You.
May you rest easy today being and becoming a person reflective of your own path.
Reflective of the challenges,
The growth and the gratitudes.
And allow this day to release you into the freedom of rest.
You.
