This is a meditation on cultivating a consciousness of appreciation.
Recently,
I asked for a miracle so that I could shift more into a consciousness of grace.
And I heard inside of myself,
Appreciate,
Appreciate,
Appreciate.
In this practice or consciousness of appreciation,
We can shift our attention,
Even just subtly,
To the resources that are available both within us and around us.
This is not to convince ourselves to be grateful if we don't feel that way authentically,
But rather a practice,
An opportunity that we can lean on and utilize over time.
And so find a comfortable position.
And as you're ready,
Settle in.
And notice any small movements or shifts,
Even micro adjustments that you can make to become even just a little bit more comfortable,
10% more comfortable.
Even 2% more comfortable,
Whatever that looks like for you.
This could be a shift in posture.
Grabbing a blanket.
Taking a sip of water.
And this type of listening to ourselves can communicate that you're present and available.
And so become aware of the solid ground beneath you.
The feet and seat and the surfaces that are supporting them.
Maybe even becoming aware of the tailbone and hips.
The hands and wrists and the inner elbows.
The eyes of the elbows.
As you're ready,
Take five slow,
Steady breaths.
And allow your breath to find a natural rhythm that's authentic to you.
I will count these next five breaths.
And you can follow my count or you can breathe on your own.
So breathing in one.
And out.
.
.
Breathing into.
And out.
Breathing in 3.
.
.
And out.
Breathing in four.
And out.
And breathing in five.
And out.
You can bring to mind the image of a snow globe.
That's been shaken up.
Where the flakes may be swirling or floating around.
And as the snow globe is set down,
There's still maybe some flakes floating.
And some will begin to settle along the bottom of the globe.
In that same way,
Start to notice any settling that's happening either around you or within your own system,
Maybe through the feet,
Seat,
Or legs.
Hands,
Arms,
Or somewhere else.
The great thing about gratitude is it doesn't require that we change anything.
But rather that we move our awareness to anything that is supporting us and that we are thankful for it.
Can be as simple as appreciating clean water or the air you breathe a scent or a material or texture that you like a relationship,
A friend that helped you,
A beautiful moment,
Someone who smiled at you on the train or something else.
Or you could be appreciating a quality within yourself.
Or another perseverance,
Creativity,
Compassion,
Patience,
Dedication,
Or calm for example.
And so coming back to your breath.
The ground beneath you.
I'll move into this practice of cultivating appreciation As you're ready,
You can affirm inwardly or aloud.
I'm grateful for my life,
Just as it is right now.
And grateful or appreciative for.
And bring to mind anything for which you have appreciation.
And again,
I'm grateful for my life just as it is right now.
And grateful for.
And filling in.
With anything for which you have appreciation.
And again,
I'm grateful for my life just as it is right now.
And grateful for.
And one more time,
I'm grateful for my life just as it is right now.
I'm grateful for.
And take these next few breaths in silence and you may choose to do one or two more statements of appreciation on your own.
If it fits for you,
You may see the word gratitude or appreciation in front of you in your favorite color.
And as you take these next few deep breaths,
Perhaps imagining that you could breathe.
Quality of appreciation into your cells into your ribs and to all levels of your consciousness.
This is a practice that you can come back to at any time.
And as we move towards completion.
Take a moment to thank yourself for engaging in this type of availability with yourself.
Maybe bringing movement into your fingers,
Toes.
Or any other places of your body.
You can also take a stretch.
Thank yourself for giving yourself the gift of your own time and presence.
So be it.
