It's confusing when we can't see ourselves,
To try and find our voice when everything around us is so loud.
How do we get quiet enough to hear?
Take three deep breaths.
Breathe in through the nose.
Hold.
And as you exhale,
Allow your shoulders to drop.
Two more breaths.
Inhale.
Exhale.
One more.
You find yourself surrounded by a meadow.
You notice a babbling brook flows nearby.
You notice the soft ground slightly squishy from the water and you walk up to the brook.
You kneel at the water's edge.
You look down and see yourself as you are today.
Your reflection glassy,
Perhaps worried,
Maybe confused.
Things feel uncertain.
Sometimes sad.
You wish for memories of the past and times that felt easier.
You dip your hand in the water and swirl it around and something else becomes clear.
A much younger version of yourself.
This version of yourself is innocent,
Unjaded,
Without judgment,
And open to explore the world creatively.
You notice the gentle features of your face then.
What does this young person tell you?
What do they show you?
Take a moment to consider things that brought you joy.
Take a moment to reflect on a happy memory.
This innocent,
Hopeful version of yourself is still within you.
And although you sometimes feel stifled by the weight of responsibility and fear,
What would it take for you to bring forward some of that joy?
To let it bubble to the surface.
Breathe in.
Exhale,
Let go.
Breathe in.
Remember what it felt like to rest peacefully in trust.
Breathe out.
Your joy still lives within you.
Bring your attention back to the reflection of yourself today.
And as you go through your day,
The week,
Each moment,
Find the childlike,
Hopeful spirit within.
Create space to enjoy things in the way your younger self would.
Dance.
Breathe.
Sing.
Explore.
One more deep breath in.
Exhale,
Let it go.
Breathe in.
Exhale,
Let it go.
Breathe in.
Exhale,
Let it go.
Breathe in.
Exhale,
Let it go.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
Breathe in.
