Poem and meditation I wrote inspired by Jonathan Van Ness on the Queer Eye,
Season 9,
Episode 4.
Crop Failure or Abundant Harvest?
The words we sow.
A thought unkind,
A careless deed,
Planted the soil with bad seed.
From words unsaid,
Wisdom may sprout,
But harsh ones spoken,
A crop of doubt.
Choose your seeds with love and care,
Grow fields of kindness,
Rich and rare.
For every word a future sown,
Let your harvest be goodness grown.
The poem and meditation reflect on the idea that our words,
Like seeds,
Carry the power to shape the world around us.
A careless or harmful word can sow negativity,
Lead to great regret or hardship.
Crop Failure.
On the other hand,
Words spoken with kindness,
Love and intention can nurture growth and connection,
Yielding a positive outcome.
It serves as a reminder to be mindful of what we say,
Recognizing that our speech has consequences.
By choosing our words with care and love,
We can cultivate relationships and environments that thrive,
Ensuring that the abundant harvest of our action is one of kindness and care.
Take a moment to settle into this meditation.
Sit or lie down comfortably and allow your body to relax and your mind to soften.
Gently close your eyes and turn your attention inward.
Begin by observing your breath.
Feel the natural rhythm as it flows in and out,
In and out.
There's no need to change it,
Just simply observe it.
If you like,
Place a soft smile on your lips.
This helps soften the face and relax the jaw.
Together,
Let's reflect on the words we've used in our life when speaking about ourselves and others or the world around us.
What tone or energy did these words carry?
Were they gentle and kind?
Or were they harsh and critical?
As you reflect,
Invite yourself to let go of judgment.
Take two slow,
Deep,
Intentional breaths in through your nose and out through your nose.
I am reminded of the phrase by T.
S.
Eliot,
For last year's words belong to last year's language,
And this year's words await another voice.
Let's affirm this phrase together.
You can repeat it out loud with me or whisper it or silently repeat it to yourself.
For last year's words belong to last year's language,
And this year's words await another voice.
Breathe in deeply.
Imagine forgiving yourself and letting go of old patterns,
Language,
Or thoughts that no longer serve you.
Breathe out gently,
Creating space for a new compassionate and uplifting language.
For this meditation,
You can place one hand on your heart and one hand on your throat if you wish.
The mantra will be,
I forgive myself,
I give myself permission to begin again.
I forgive myself,
I give myself permission to begin again.
As you continue breathing,
Silently repeat the mantra,
Breathing in,
I forgive myself.
Breathing out,
I give myself permission to begin again.
Breathing in,
I forgive myself.
I give myself permission to begin again.
I'll watch the time,
And don't worry if your mind wanders.
Gently come back to the mantra.
A thought unkind,
A careless deed,
Planted the soil with bad seed.
From words unsaid,
Wisdom may sprout,
But harsh ones spoken,
A crop of doubt.
Choose your seeds with love and care.
Grow fields of kindness,
Rich and rare.
For every word,
A future sown.
Let your harvest be goodness grown.
Imagine the words that you want to embody this year.
Words that uplift,
Inspire,
And heal.
Let these words arise naturally without forcing them.
Words like peace,
Kindness,
Courage,
And love.
Gently anchor these new words within you as intentions.
Feel the presence in your breath,
Your heart,
And your being.
When you're ready,
Take one final deep breath in and out.
Knowing you are creating a new beginning.
One filled with words that reflect your highest self.
Carry this soothing practice with you throughout your day.
Allowing your language to reflect your deepest values and intentions.
You may want to revisit this meditation daily until it is part of your new way of being.
A new language.
I find copying and pasting the link in my calendar of this meditation in my phone or on the computer is an easy way for me to come back to this daily.
You can also write out or print this affirmation mantra and place it somewhere where you can remind yourself of its essence.
I look forward to hearing your new voice.
I'd like to thank Ada and Nathan,
Creators of Wakes,
On Insight Timer for this beautiful track called Dream Space.
Please stay and listen and enjoy the ambient,
Beautiful sound.
