For the practice today,
We're going to take time to acknowledge change.
So as you settle into your comfortable position and letting the body breathe with ease,
Let yourself bring to mind ways in which you have changed and evolved.
You can consider a sliver of time,
Like the last one to three months,
Or the last year,
If that feels like a more helpful scope.
And our minds sometimes can have a bias where they automatically recall things that are differences or less than in an unfavorable way.
And today we're going to intentionally spend some time contemplating ways in which you have changed that are neutral or positive.
I'll offer some phrases and I invite you to mentally repeat the phrase to yourself and notice what arises,
Having a few moments with each one before we shift to the next.
In what ways have I seen myself grow,
Perhaps even beyond my comfort zone?
What is something that I have been able to let go of?
It could be a habit,
A belief,
A pain.
It is something I have been able to let go of.
In what ways have I shown myself that I can trust myself?
This could be around an intention you've been keeping at the forefront of your mind,
Even if you don't keep it every day.
Overcalling a way you've shown up for yourself,
That's important.
In what ways have I seen that I can trust myself?
In what way have I been able to overcome something that in the moment seemed totally unmanageable or insurmountable?
All in all,
A moment like that up in your mind.
As I reflect on these changes,
What does my future self need to hear from my present self?
This could be a single phrase or a gentle reminder.
What does my future self need to hear from my present self?
Allow yourself to stay for a few more moments with whatever might be arising.
Sometimes this sort of practice is very difficult for us.
We don't tend to think of things that happen or changes that take place and reflect very often on our resilience or what we have gained.
Or there may be some discomfort in thinking about that,
Like it feels soft.
Yet actually it's often essential medicine.
And by reflecting on such experiences,
We can give guidance to ourselves and what lies ahead.
Taking three more breaths.
Sensing a whole existence.
And with the final breath,
Letting your awareness slowly return back.
