Life throws challenges at us.
Sometimes it can feel as if there's nowhere to turn,
That every step is difficult.
Let's see if we can pick our way through this tough bit.
So,
Let's begin by sitting or lying down in a comfortable position.
Good.
Gently and slowly take a deep breath in through your nose.
And let it out through your mouth.
Go at your own pace,
Just focus on your own breath.
That's right,
You're doing really well.
One more.
In through your nose and slowly out through your mouth.
That's great.
So,
Start to bring awareness to your stomach,
Rising and falling with the breath.
That's right.
As rising as you breathe in and falling as you breathe out through your mouth.
Just notice how you feel.
All emotions are allowed.
Notice the feeling and know that it can change.
Take another deep breath.
Breathe out fully.
Good.
So now let's imagine that you're standing somewhere where there are jagged rocks and stones all over the ground.
All around you there seem to be shards of sharp and treacherous rock.
You're not sure how to move past these rocks without hurting yourself.
You can't see a path.
Stand still for a moment and try to breathe deeply.
As you breathe in and out,
Continue to look around you for a softer place to step.
I promise you it is there.
Look around you.
One more deep breath in and out.
And you can see a sandy space just within reach.
Take a step towards it.
It was not as far or as difficult as you feared.
And as you look ahead you see that there is another space where you can put your feet just between the rocks ahead of you.
Take another deep breath in through your nose and out through your mouth.
That's it.
Gently but surely step into the next sandy space.
As you breathe in and out you notice that the rocks are beginning to look less dangerous and spiky.
They're starting to look smoother and rounder where they've been gently worn down by time washing them back and forth in the waves.
So now you don't have to search to find a safe place to put your feet.
All the stones are smooth and none of them are going to hurt you.
You still step forward cautiously breathing slowly and deeply.
But you can feel your confidence growing.
You know that you are safe and you can stand a little taller.
Relax where you were tense because you did not know how to move forward.
You can feel the fear and caution dissolve.
You see that the ground beneath you is now made of soft and yet firm sand.
And the beautiful smooth shiny pebbles are scattered around you but they're not blocking your path.
You can move forward with ease and confidence knowing that the stones are not in the way.
You take another beautiful big deep breath and raise your gaze from the ground.
Look up to the horizon.
It's a gorgeous day and you can see the sun rising.
Take another deep breath.
Full deep breath in.
And gently out.
Absorb the beauty of the glorious sunrise and start walking towards the horizon.
When you are ready gently open your eyes and bring yourself back to the room that you were in.
And a smooth and easeful day ahead.
You are safe and you can move forward with ease and confidence.
