Welcome to day two of the gentle pause.
Today is your invitation to slow down.
Many of us are wearing many hats,
Balancing work,
Family,
Relationships and responsibilities,
Showing up for others and holding everything together.
And sometimes we don't realize how much we're carrying because we've become so used to being the one who holds it all.
So in these next few minutes together,
I invite you to pause,
To really soften and to set everything down just for now.
You don't need to fix anything.
You don't need to figure anything out.
You don't need to be productive here.
And for these next 10 minutes,
You don't have to be the one holding everything.
You get to be held.
So today,
Let's honor that and let's honor you.
Let's begin by gently arriving together.
Let your attention drop out of the mind and into the body,
The place,
The home that has been carrying you through everything.
You can softly close down your eyes and find a position where your body feels supported.
Let's begin by taking three slow,
Steady breaths together,
Noticing the natural rhythm of your breath and the exhale softening.
You might like to place a hand on your heart or your chest,
Feeling a deeper connection into your body and with every out breath,
Allow your body to sigh,
To soften,
To begin to relax,
Letting go of what came before this moment and loosening your grip on what comes next.
This meditation challenge isn't about doing anything perfectly or right.
It's simply about giving yourself a few minutes to notice,
Listen,
And arrive.
And when we slow down long enough to tune in,
The body offers incredible wisdom.
It communicates through sensations,
Through breath,
Through subtle cues.
It knows when you're tired,
When you need rest,
When you need space or softness or care.
And today we're simply creating the conditions to listen.
So right now,
You might like to tune in and reflect on what some of your needs are in this moment.
You might notice a need to create space for yourself,
To connect,
To nourish yourself emotionally or physically,
Or simply to be instead of doing.
One of the most powerful questions you can ask yourself is,
What do I need right now?
And there's no pressure to have all the answers,
But just notice what comes up.
Maybe it's a word,
A feeling,
A sensation,
To sit with whatever's there.
And if it feels supportive,
You might also like to reflect on what you've been needing more of lately,
Not just today,
But in your life.
Perhaps you need more time for yourself.
Perhaps you need more connection or more joy,
Or perhaps you have needs to rest and to be in solitude.
Whatever is there,
Just notice it,
Sit with it for a few more moments,
And you might like to silently repeat these affirmations to yourself.
I give myself permission to slow down.
I trust my body's quiet wisdom.
I am worthy of care,
Rest,
And presence.
There's nothing more you need to do with what you noticed here today.
Simply allowing yourself to pause,
Listen,
And acknowledge your needs is enough.
And as you move back into your day or your evening,
Carry this permission with you,
The permission to check in,
To soften,
And to care for yourself too.
And when you're ready,
You can gently bring movement back into the body,
Perhaps a little stretch or a deep sigh or breath,
And just thank yourself and honor yourself for being here today,
For listening,
For showing up,
And for giving yourself this time.
I am wishing you a peaceful and beautiful day ahead.
