The holidays can be both joyous and challenging,
And they can magnify what or who is missing.
We grieve people,
Pets,
Relationships that have changed,
Traditions that have disappeared,
And versions of ourselves that we long for.
And whether that ache,
That opening,
Is clear or unnamed,
It matters.
And in this meditation,
We will honor it.
Now,
It's possible that emotions can rise during this time,
And it's really okay to pause,
To breathe,
To step away.
Remember that this is not avoidance.
It's care for your nervous system.
So please respect what shows up.
Grief opens a space inside us,
A gap where connection once lived.
We can create a physical altar or an internal one,
A gentle reminder like a candle,
A photo,
A note,
A meaningful object.
All of those things can anchor our connection instead of a blank slate or silence,
Or the feeling of nothingness.
Be it in a physical state or an internal one,
Both are real and both can be healing.
Choose which one feels right for you.
This may seem contradictory,
But joy and grief can coexist.
Joy does not erase what you've lost,
And grief doesn't mean you're getting joy wrong.
You are allowed to feel warmth,
Laughter,
Comfort,
Even while you ache.
That being said,
We never want to diminish the feelings we're having.
And if we want to push one out of the way to make room for the other,
I think we have to give ourselves permission to do that as well.
Keep your journal close.
You may silently or out loud hold the names or memories or simply a feeling,
And you can choose to write them down.
Either is enough.
So take a slow breath in and allow the exhale to linger.
Feel the support beneath you and all around you.
You do not have to carry anything alone.
We welcome in Reiki energy for grounding,
For connection,
For openness,
For the opportunity to allow healing and understanding to pass through and remain.
Reiki,
No matter what our desires are,
Is always available and here for our highest good.
Take a moment and bring your attention to your heart space.
Notice what is there.
Longing,
Confusion,
Tenderness,
Love.
Anything is right.
If your grief has a shape or a face,
Allow it to appear.
If it remains hazy or it seems too heavy,
Let that go.
In your mind's eye or just with your intention,
Imagine a place for this love and this loss to rest.
It could be a candlelit altar or a glowing space just inside your heart.
You can place your grief here,
Your thoughts here,
Your heaviness here,
Your openness here,
Your laughter here,
Whatever is emerging.
Know that here it can be held with truth,
Held with love,
And held without pressure or expectation.
If it feels right,
You can listen to these words or recite them to yourself or aloud.
You mattered.
You matter.
I hold gratitude for the life you touched and that you still help me shape.
Allow yourself to breathe in deeply and allowing that exhale to linger.
Feel free to place your hands on your heart,
Breathing into this space.
Allow light to shine here,
The light that fills in the gap,
The light that allows the joy and the happiness and new traditions to emerge.
Keep your breath moving.
Keep this space held and supported.
Grief doesn't disappear with a date on the calendar,
But we can hold it and we can help soften it and we can help to make room for the other parts of our lives.
You are not alone in this experience and you are still connected to what you love.
Be sure you have a list of the people,
Practices,
And spaces that support you,
Especially when emotions swell.
Reach out if things feel too heavy to hold on your own.
You can always return to this meditation.
Remember that connection is a bridge back to healing.
When we're finished here today,
Consider in your journal placing some thoughts or words that have come to you and what it would look like for you to offer yourself compassion during this time.
Create or refresh an altar internally or externally in your home.
Reach out to someone who helps you feel safe and grounded.
Use a gentle distraction as care if your emotions overflow.
Rest is not avoidance.
You can keep these thoughts inside.
You can hold your hands to your heart and know that you have a space either internally or externally to always return.
Give yourself a little time to come back to the space where we began.
Deepening your breath.
Gently opening your eyes if they've closed.
Offer yourself one or more kindnesses today.
No cost,
No pressure.
Just love.
I wish you well.
