You can allow yourself to close your eyes or soften your gaze and begin to take a few deep breaths.
In and out.
As you breathe,
Is it possible to let go of any tension you might be overtly holding?
Letting your face soften,
Your shoulders let go.
Relaxing the strong muscles in your back and any tightness in your belly.
Exhaling and letting our arms and hands rest comfortably at our sides.
Taking a moment to simply notice your breath.
Being with yourself in this moment.
Yourself meaning your thoughts,
Your feelings,
Any body sensations.
There's been a lot of recent challenges in this country,
In this world,
And in our personal lives.
Injustices we feel,
Losses we mourn.
Fear and anxiety seem to run rampant underneath these experiences.
Challenges are abundant.
Noticing how it impacts you in your personal life is okay.
Taking a moment to notice how it feels.
If it creates tension or tightness,
Anger or outrage,
Sadness,
Feeling alone.
All of these words,
Labels,
Feelings and sensations are a part of this experience.
And is it possible to hold them gently?
Cradling them.
And as you offer tender,
Loving kindness to those challenging feelings.
Is it possible to unfold just a little?
Relaxing an area that feels tight does not dismiss why the tightness is there.
But allows us to have a response to the tightness,
To the pain.
Is it possible to recognize that we're not alone in this suffering?
So much of the world feels shattered and despairing.
So much of the world is experiencing personal hardships and losses,
In addition to the angst and suffering in this world.
Your feelings are valid.
It makes sense why anger or fear would try to protect you from feeling the helplessness of current decisions.
Of current situations that our world is in.
It's okay to validate others feelings of anger and fear.
And it makes sense why some of their actions only cause distance in the name of self protection.
Is it possible to notice what else is there in addition to the helplessness and pain?
Is there an understanding that others feel similarly to you?
That we are interconnected?
Is compassion for ourselves or for others also present?
Is there love for other beings?
Acknowledgement of current beauty?
And awareness of friendly experiences that you've also encountered?
All beings yearn for connection.
Yearn to feel worthy and whole.
Yearn to trust the world will protect us.
And strive to help that sense of protection.
All beings also have the capacity to witness and appreciate kindness,
Beauty,
And love.
Despite anger and fear that separates us and makes us choose actions that protect us from the unfriendliness of the world.
There is also a goodness.
A desire for kindness.
A hope for connection to prevail.
And while we can't control another's feelings or actions.
How is it that you want to live in this chaotic and distressed world?
L.
R.
Nast says,
Do not be dismayed by the brokenness of the world.
All things break and all things can be mended.
Not with time,
As they say,
But with intention.
So go.
Love intentionally,
Extravagantly,
Unconditionally.
The broken world waits in darkness for the light that is you.
Today,
Is it possible to recommit?
To living in a friendly universe.
To shift into openness.
Where there is always something to see that is full of joy,
Of light,
And of love.
Today,
Is it possible to recommit?
To feeling anchored into this power of love.
The power of connection.
Where together we can face challenges.
Call upon our mutual wisdom.
And live the change we want to see.
On the next breath.
Is it possible to check back in with your being in this moment?
Body sensations.
Thoughts and feelings.
Continuing to hold whatever is here with tenderness and compassion.
And perhaps setting an intention to let that tenderness and compassion spread throughout your entire being out into the world.
Taking another breath or two,
Coming back into this moment by gently moving your body in gentle ways.
And when you're ready,
You can open up your eyes.
Namaste.
