Hello,
Welcome.
In this meditation,
We're going to focus on cultivating gratitude for ourselves by recognizing qualities and strengths that make us who we are.
So take a moment to find a comfortable position,
Whether it be seated or lying down.
And go ahead and close your eyes if it feels comfortable to you.
If you'd rather keep them open,
Allow your gaze to rest on a soft spot in front of you,
Maybe the floor,
The wall,
Just allowing the gaze to rest.
And go ahead and take three slow,
Deep breaths.
And with each exhale,
Allow your body to relax,
Seeing if you can sink deeper and deeper into your space every time you breathe out.
Bring your attention to your heart center.
If it helps,
Go ahead and place a hand over your heart.
And now imagine a warm,
Gentle light glowing there.
This light represents your unique essence,
The person who you are.
Notice how it glows in whatever color and whatever intensity seems uniquely you,
That makes you look at it and go,
Yep,
That's me.
And now reflect on one thing you appreciate about yourself.
It could be a strength,
A kind gesture,
Maybe it's the way you handle setbacks,
Really anything.
And allow this thought to fill your heart with warmth and gratitude.
And now silently repeat,
I am grateful for my ability to.
.
.
And then fill it with something,
Whether it be big or small,
It can be anything.
I am grateful for my ability to.
.
.
And then I appreciate myself for being and add a strength of some sort.
Again,
It can be anything,
Really.
I appreciate myself for being.
.
.
Now expand this gratitude by considering other aspects of yourself.
Maybe thinking of your body for supporting you,
Your mind for what it's learned,
The lessons it's obtained,
Or your heart for caring.
Now allow these feelings of appreciation to grow and focus in on that warmth that's nestled there in you.
And as you sit with this gratitude,
Imagine the light in your heart growing brighter and spreading into your entire chest,
Up your neck and into your head,
Into your arms and legs,
Completely filling your entire body with warmth and with love.
Allow this warmth to nourish your body,
Every little part,
Cradling you,
Protecting you.
Now take a moment to silently thank yourself for showing up today and for all the ways you try to care for yourself.
You don't have to be perfect at this right now,
It's okay.
Maybe even offer yourself gratitude for even trying.
The fact that you're here,
That you're practicing this meditation right now,
That shows that you care and that you're trying to do better.
I hope you can congratulate yourself for that.
If anything,
I'm proud of you and I thank you for doing this for yourself today.
Take a deep breath in and as you exhale,
Gently open your eyes and welcome yourself back into this space.
You don't have to let go of this gratitude,
You can keep it with you throughout the day.
Hold to it,
Bring it back to mind whenever you feel the need to do so.
Thank you for doing this for yourself today.
Until next time.
