Welcome to this meditation which is designed to be listened to before your work day.
My name is Lucy,
I'm from the Ellie's Gift Project and this meditation has been designed for bereavement care staff who are supporting parents experiencing pregnancy and baby loss and it's something that you can listen to which hopefully will bring a sense of ease and freshness before the day begins.
This meditation is only a short practice so please ensure that you won't be interrupted and rest assured that this practice won't take too much time out of your what I imagine to be very busy morning.
So finding somewhere to rest comfortably wherever you are and beginning by grounding yourself in this moment.
So wherever you are noticing the sensations in your body,
The air on your skin and the sounds around you.
If you're listening to this while you're walking or driving then noticing the sensations of your feet on the ground as you walk or the feeling of your car seat as it supports your body,
The texture of the steering wheel.
So just grounding yourself in this moment now connecting to sensations that are real for you.
Taking three deep breaths,
Breathing in through your nose and holding your breath just for a moment and then breathing out slowly through your mouth.
Again deep breath in through your nose and holding for a moment and breathing out slowly through your mouth and one more time deep into your body breathing in through your nose and holding for a moment and breathing out slowly through your mouth and then allowing your breathing to return to its own pace and rhythm.
So setting the intention then for this day,
Reflecting on why you do this work,
Silently saying to yourself in your mind,
I am here to offer compassion and support.
I will show up today with presence and kindness both for others and for myself.
Strengthening now your inner calm,
So imagining a light glowing in your chest,
This light representing your calm and your strength and with each breath you acknowledge this light getting warmer and brighter.
Imagining that now,
This warm glowing light in your chest.
And then repeating to yourself,
This light is always within me,
Guiding me and grounding me.
I'm taking a moment now to remind yourself that you are human.
So repeating in your mind after me,
I am human and I bring my heart to this work.
It's okay to feel deeply and it's okay to pause when I need to.
And acknowledging now that you can hold space for both your compassion and your boundaries today.
So as you near now the start of your work day,
Focusing finally on one thing that you feel grateful for,
A colleague,
The sunrise or simply the opportunity to make a difference.
Take one final deep breath and say to yourself,
I am ready to begin this day with care and presence.
I can only do my best.
I will show myself compassion and kindness.
I am making a difference.
So taking one final deep breath in with me,
Releasing your breath out.
And if your eyes have been closed and gently opening the eyes today,
Moving the body,
If that feels right,
If that suits your circumstances,
You may be listening to this while you're driving.
And I just want to say before you do start the day,
I can honestly say as a bereaved woman,
Bereaved parents,
That the support that you offer is truly remarkable.
And it makes such a difference.
So keep going and don't give up.
Sending all our love to you,
Whoever you are,
Wherever you are in the world.
Take one final deep breath and say to yourself,
I am ready to begin this day with care and presence.
You take care.
