Seasons

Life moves through seasons and not every season feels the way we wish it would. This gentle mindfulness practice invites you to meet where you are with compassion, without judgement, guilt or the the pressure to change it. Through breath, body awareness and reflection, you will create space to notice what is here and gently let go of what feels heavy.

Transcript

I invite you to get yourself in a comfortable, Cozy position. Doing what you need to do to get comfortable, As this could be the first time today that you're tuning into your body and listening to it. If you haven't done so already, I invite you to gently close your eyes. Or if it's your practice today, Lower your gaze, Look for a reference point to return to when you get distracted. And just taking this moment, This precious moment that you've carved out for yourself to connect with your breath at your nose. No need to change the rhythm of your breath. Allowing your body to do its natural thing. Just bringing your attention to your inhale. To your exhale. Maybe noticing the pause between your inhale and exhale. Noticing any sensations that you may be experiencing with your breath. Change of temperature, The sound of your breath. You can take our body several minutes to start to relax, To start to settle into your practice. There's no rush with this. We're just connecting with our breath. And if it feels right for you, Maybe doing a slow sweep of how you're holding your body. Is there tension or tightness in your forehead? Your jaw. Can you release some of that tension with your exhale? How are you holding your shoulders? Are they up to your ears right now? Can you slowly start to bring them down with your exhale? Noticing how you're holding your hands, Your feet. Are you able to release any of the tension or gripping you may be holding on to? And just taking a moment to connect if there are any other areas that you may want to release some tension. Inhale and exhale. Exhale release Today's practice is around seasons. We all have seasons in our lives. Where there is more joy. More pain, More hope. Wishing that things could look differently. And when we are in these seasons, Periods of our lives, Sometimes we can add more suffering to them. Because we get lost in the judgment, The should, The shame, The guilt. With mindfulness, We're able to connect to what's happening and noticing how we are showing up and seeing if we can redirect some of that energy into compassion and not suffering. There are times and seasons where we wish things could look differently. And I know that feeling so well. And how we show up for ourselves in that space is what we can bring to the table. And with that, I invite you to connect to your heart space. Connect to your breath at your chest. Your inhale. Your exhale. Noticing your chest rising and falling with each breath. With each inhale. With each exhale. Allowing yourself to settle into this practice, This connection to your heart space. Allowing yourself to fill it up with new breath, New energy. And exhaling anything you don't want to hold onto in this space. Maybe there are thoughts or feelings that keep you going. You stuck. Keeping you heavy that are not helpful. In this practice for a moment. Visualizing anything you wish to let go. To float away. And if you get distracted, Because you will, We all get pulled into another direction. Just notice where you went. And kindly, Without judgment or harsh words to yourselves, Bring your attention back to the space. You may need to do this over and over and over again, And that is okay. That is part of this. Inhale and exhale. And exhale, Releasing anything you don't want in your heart space. I invite you to bring your attention to your thoughts. What is happening in this moment? Just notice where you are without adding to them. It's a practice of just noticing our thoughts, What is showing up. Paying attention to them without engaging. Or adding our self-doubt or shame. Or guilt. Today's practice is just noticing. And while you're doing that, You may be pulled into old patterns or habits. And I will share some words that may be helpful with the practice. This season is allowed to be here. This season is allowed to be here. I do not need to rush my growth. I do not need to rush my growth. I can meet myself with compassion instead of judgment. I can meet myself with compassion instead of judgment. Release the shoulds and soften into what is. I release the shoulds and soften into what is. I am allowed to begin again as many times as I need. I am allowed to begin as many times as I need. I offer myself the same kindness I offer others. I offer myself the same kindness I offer others. Inhale. Inhale and exhale. Letting those words absorb. Taking what you need. And coming back to your breath, Back to your inhale. Back to your exhale. You may want to take a few longer exhales if that feels right for you. You can let it out. Just taking the last few moments to be in this space, To be in this moment for you. Inhale. And exhale. And when it feels right for you, Slowly bring your attention back to your surroundings, Your space, The sounds that are around you. No rush. You may want to start with a wiggle of the fingers and toes. And when it feels right for you. Slowly and gently opening those eyes. And thank you so much for joining me in this practice. And have a beautiful rest of your day.