Today,
We'll explore gentleness,
How to meet ourselves with care,
Especially when old habits of criticism arise.
Before we begin,
Take a moment to get still,
Find a comfortable seat or lie down.
If that feels better,
Let your eyes soften or close.
We'll take three audible breaths together,
In through the nose,
Out through the mouth.
Let the exhale be full and open.
This kind of breathing helps calm the nervous system and signals to the body.
You're safe.
You're here.
You can let go.
Inhale through the nose,
Exhale through the mouth.
Again,
Inhale and exhale.
One more breath in.
And let it go.
From this quiet place,
I offer you these words.
Dear Higher Power,
I've been so hard on myself.
Even when I try to do better,
The voice in my head can be sharp.
Impatient.
Unkind.
Today,
I want to try something different.
I want to meet myself with gentleness.
When I make mistakes,
Help me to soften.
When I feel anxious,
Help me to breathe.
When I criticize myself,
Help me to pause and remember that I'm still learning.
Let gentleness be the language I speak to myself.
Let it live in my tone,
My thoughts,
My choices.
Let it guide how I care for this body.
This heart.
This life.
Even if I forget tomorrow,
Even if I slip into old patterns,
Help me return to kindness.
I don't have to earn gentleness.
I am already worthy of it.
I leave this in your hands.
