This is a morning gratitude meditation to help you start your day with gratitude and to set an intention for your day to remember even in the midst of challenges the many gifts that you are grateful for.
Come into a comfortable position either seated or lying down any position that allows you to breathe freely and comfortably.
Gently invite the eyelids to close,
The mind to settle and the body to relax.
Take a big breath in through the nose,
Open the mouth and let it go.
Begin to observe the rise and fall of your chest and belly as your breathing slows.
Following the trajectory of your breath as it enters through both nostrils,
Makes its way down the back of your throat,
Expands the belly and chest as it fills your lungs bringing oxygen and nourishment to your entire body.
And we'll begin our gratitude practice right here with the breath.
It's easy to take the breath for granted.
It flows in and out of its own volition and we rarely think about it unless it falters.
But the breath is life.
What a gift it is to wake up with breath.
Bring your awareness to your physical body.
Bring aware of it from crown of the head all the way down into the toes.
We often judge our bodies for what they can't do but rarely stop to marvel at all that they are capable of.
What can your body do that you are grateful for?
Lift your awareness to your personality traits.
It's easy to be self-critical and to pick ourselves apart but in this moment what personality traits can you be grateful for?
What makes you uniquely you?
Giving the awareness to the world around you.
What do you have in this world to be grateful for?
A home in which to live.
Nourishing food to eat.
A bed to sleep in.
Clothes to wear.
What freedoms do you have in this world?
These are often considered basic necessities but remember that these are gifts.
Shift your awareness to the people in your world.
We don't move through this world alone.
Who supports you,
Encourages you,
Inspires you.
Who brings joy into your life?
Bring these people to mind with gratitude in your heart.
When we no longer take life for granted we become grateful for everything that we have.
From this place of gratitude go into your day knowing that there will be challenges and obstacles to face.
And whether you can't change those or choose not to,
Always choose to remember the many gifts that you are grateful for.
When you feel ready,
Begin to bring some gentle movement into your body.
Take a big breath in through the nose.
Open the mouth and let it go.
In your own time begin to flutter the eyes open.
Have a beautiful day.
Namaste.
