Welcome,
I'm so glad you're here.
Take a moment now to find a comfortable position,
Either sitting or lying down,
Whatever allows your body to relax and feel supported.
You might close your eyes or simply soften your gaze.
Let's begin with a few deep,
Easy breaths.
Inhale gently and exhale slowly.
Let your shoulders drop away from your ears.
Let your jaw soften,
Inhaling gently,
Exhaling slowly.
Allow yourself to arrive fully in this moment.
There's nothing you need to achieve right now.
Just being here is enough.
Now I invite you to bring to mind an animal that you feel connected to.
It might be an animal you've always loved,
An animal whose strength,
Gentleness,
Or spirit you admire.
And allow the first animal that arises to come naturally.
No need to overthink it.
As you picture this animal,
Notice what qualities you admire about them.
Maybe it's their courage,
Or their patience,
Their playfulness,
Or their loyalty.
Let's just take a few moments here to notice.
What wholesome quality stands out the most to you in this animal?
What feels most inspiring or needed in your own life right now?
Now imagine this animal living their life with this quality fully expressed.
Picture them moving naturally in their environment.
Thriving,
Surviving,
Flourishing,
Being exactly as they are.
How does this quality support their well-being?
How do they embody it without effort or self-consciousness?
Allow yourself to feel a sense of respect and appreciation for the way this animal carries their gift into the world.
Now gently turn your attention inward.
This quality you admire,
It lives within you too.
You wouldn't recognize it in another if it didn't already exist in you.
Let's explore where you might sense this quality in your own body.
Notice,
Is there a place where you feel a sense of courage,
Or playfulness,
Or patience already alive in you?
Whatever this quality is,
Is there a place where you can sense it alive in you?
It may be subtle.
It may be a warm feeling in the chest,
A steady energy in the belly,
A lightness around the heart.
There's no right or wrong answer.
Just notice,
Where does this essence of this quality live in your body today?
Now as you breathe,
Imagine this quality expanding gently through your body.
With each breath,
Allow yourself to feel more at ease,
Trusting that this quality belongs to you.
It is not something you have to force.
It is already a part of who you are.
Now imagine what it might feel like to express this quality more freely in your life.
If you embodied this quality fully,
How might your days feel different?
How might it shape the way you care for yourself?
The way you connect with others?
The way you meet challenges or opportunities?
Picture yourself moving through your life with this quality shining quietly within you.
A natural,
Steady presence.
Nothing you have to prove.
Just something you allow.
Now bring to mind a particular situation.
Maybe something coming up soon,
Or something that's been on your heart,
Where you would like to bring more of this quality forward.
Picture the situation clearly.
The people,
The setting,
The feelings that come with it.
And as you hold this image,
Gently bring your attention back to the embodied sense of the quality within you.
Feel it once again.
Steady.
Warm.
Alive.
This part of you is real.
It's trustworthy.
Now imagine yourself stepping into this situation,
Carrying this quality with you.
How might your words,
Your posture,
Your actions reflect this quality?
There's no need to script it or control it perfectly.
Simply envision yourself showing up,
Grounded in this authentic part of who you are.
Remind yourself,
While life is unpredictable,
You can choose to bring your true self into any moment.
This quality is part of your nature,
As natural to you as it is to the animal you admire.
As we come to the close of this practice,
Take a few deeper breaths.
Inhale,
Ease.
Exhale any tension that may be there.
Inhaling,
Ease.
And exhale to let go of any tension.
Feel gratitude for the animal who inspired you today,
For the qualities that live both in them and in you,
And for the ways you are learning to bring your inner wisdom into the world.
You have within you everything you need to meet life with kindness,
Courage,
And authenticity.
Trust your own unfolding.
Trust the goodness that is already here.
Take one more slow breath in,
And gently release it.
When you're ready,
Allow your eyes to open or your attention to return to the room around you.
Thank you for sharing this time with yourself today.
