Welcome to these words.
My name's Reuben.
These words are for when times get tough.
Here you are in this moment.
It didn't happen by accident.
You've come here for a reason.
You've come here for your own wellbeing.
To this safe space right now with me.
Thank you.
Take a moment to thank yourself too for this safe space that you've created.
What do you need in this moment?
Is this about being more centred?
Is this about enhancing your wellbeing?
Is this about being more compassionate?
Or just having a space to process what's going on?
And maybe it's a combination of some of these.
And as you reflect on this,
Note your intention here.
What is your intention?
Notice this.
Notice what happens when you do.
Right now,
You are here.
And right now,
Times are tough.
You're going through something that has got you to this very point and brought you to this very experience with me right now.
So what about you in this moment?
What is it that's troubling you?
So life is like a rollercoaster.
Sometimes we're pulled into reactions driven from fear.
This fear causes a contraction within us.
Sometimes it's obvious.
Sometimes it's so subtle that it may take a good friend to notice something different about you.
When we go through tough times,
It's hard for us to acknowledge anything else that isn't part of the story in our minds.
But even going through this,
There are these moments where we find ourselves taking more conscious action.
Driven through being a little bit more open and receptive to things in life,
No matter how small they are.
A smile and a casual chat to the elderly person across the street who rarely has any contact.
Truly listening to a child that yearns for meaningful connection by tuning into their mannerisms and noticing the tone of their voice as they explain something exciting to you.
These actions give us a sense of meaning and purpose.
This causes an expansion within us.
Sometimes it's easy to expand.
Sometimes it's really hard.
This is where the practice comes in.
In this moment,
Simply let go and see if you can bring on another perspective here.
This perspective right now from where you are noticing.
Right now as you are in this very moment,
Come to recognise that all is well in your immediate surroundings.
The present moment will nurture you if you let it.
You are safe right now.
Deep down your history will tell you that in any periods of darkness that you've experienced,
You've had the capacity to get through it.
You've had times of struggle within those dark times,
But you've also had glimmers of acceptance,
Joy,
Contentment,
Hope,
Or something else whilst going through a time of struggle.
And then of course,
There were the times when it seemed as if you were going backwards,
Getting swallowed up in the darkness once more.
Our minds are programmed to be on the outlook for fear.
We're human.
You are not alone.
We all have minds that do this.
And then there were those golden steps forward again,
Offering you glimmers of light once more.
As you did this,
You noticed that things changed before you.
As the world brightened up in front of your very eyes,
Just like it will again.
At that time,
Maybe you got to a specific point that you remember,
Where another person helped you along the way.
If so,
Who was that?
Maybe it got to a point in your life where you felt like you were the only person that properly understood you and your circumstances.
And even though you were the only person at that time that properly understood,
Despite this you kept going.
If this resonates with you,
Get a sense of what that was like then,
As you kept going.
Whether you were helped by someone,
Or whether you did this on your own,
As you continued to move forwards.
When you saw the light at the end of the tunnel,
Those little golden moments that brought the light towards you.
But here you are right now.
And right now things are really tough,
There's no denying this.
Sometimes to soften our outlook on a tough situation,
It can be helpful to open up to other perspectives.
This is not to deny this tough time,
But to shed light upon it.
What is this period of darkness telling you about what matters?
What is this darkness illuminating to you?
What are some of the smallest things in life that give you a sense of meaning and purpose whilst in this dark period?
What does this period of darkness tell you about your inner strength?
The times when you have found yourself more centred,
More rational,
Calm and connected to the world,
Despite going through this tough time.
In times of need,
It takes practice.
And this practice takes commitment.
There's no specific time frame to this or remedy that suits everyone.
But in doing so,
You are benefiting your future self and strengthening your capacity to be centred,
Grounded,
Connected,
Expanded.
Which enhances your capacity to pull through for moments like these.
Or when times are tough.
