So just let the attention start to settle gently on the inhale and exhale.
Letting each breath naturally relax anywhere in the body where you might feel tense or stuck.
Just allowing the breath to create a little bit more space in your experience.
You might notice where in the body you feel the breath.
It's often the belly or the ribs or the chest.
And allowing the breath to move as it naturally does without trying to change it or force it to be anything different than it is.
Letting it start to anchor you into your body and into the present moment.
You might also bring attention to your body whether it's a certain area that might need a little bit more softening or maybe it's just the hands the way they feel.
Maybe just noticing your body in space,
The space around your body.
Letting your natural capability of awareness to guide you over and over again into the present moment into your body and your breath.
Just for a moment check in with yourself.
How are you feeling?
It might be a word.
It might express itself in images or colors,
Sounds,
Sensations.
How are you feeling right now?
You might allow the breath to hold space for any emotions that arise,
Any feelings that are coming up for you with a sense of kind and accepting attention.
You might even envision space around any discomfort or challenging feelings.
Just letting everything be exactly as it is.
Whatever is coming up for you,
However you're feeling right now.
Remembering to continue to breathe easily.
The breath or the body might be a nice anchor for you to return to if you find yourself and your attention wandering elsewhere.
Just inviting yourself to be present with yourself right now with your feelings,
With your experience.
You might start to be more aware of yourself here and whatever space you're in.
This body,
This breath after a challenging year as a collective or whatever challenges you've been through this year.
And also recognizing the fact that even if you have turned to a leader for guidance and support,
You have also had the courage yourself to make it this far.
Whatever has transpired.
You might hold the simple act of being here right now after this tough time with love,
Compassion,
Gratitude,
And space to feel any emotions that might come along with this.
Breathe with that for a moment.
Your courage,
Your capabilities,
Whatever happened in the past,
However you're feeling now,
Whatever might happen beyond this moment.
Being with this moment here.
You might ask yourself,
How has what you have been learning during these turbulent times helped you to meet and engage with yourself or with others?
Now allow yourself to bring to mind someone,
Whether here or passed on,
Who inspires you,
Who you look up to,
Who is a true compassionate leader to you.
It might have even helped you,
Supported you with whatever challenges you faced throughout this past year or your life.
Maybe even just this past week.
You might be a teacher or a friend,
Elder,
Family member,
A spiritual person or well-known person.
How has this person influenced the ways in which you operate in the world?
How you lead your life?
How you serve others?
How might you infuse inspiration from this influential figure?
What you've learned from the difficulties of this past year,
Throughout your life even,
And incorporate it into your life in a way that enables you to naturally lead with love.
For example,
Caring for someone you cherish,
Donating time or money or signing a petition to a cause you feel passionate about,
Calling or writing to someone to check in,
Opening the door for a stranger,
Volunteering at a local shelter.
The list is really endless.
How does it feel in your body,
In your breath,
In this moment to know that you have the capacity to live and love in this way?
How does it feel in your body,
In this moment to know that you have the capacity to live and love in this way?
How does it feel in your body,
In this moment to know that you have the capacity to live and love in this way?
You might then ask yourself,
How might you take what you've learned from working with hardships during this particular time or throughout your life and lead with love,
In this difficult situation?
For example,
Taking a breath before you react so that you might act more consciously,
Noticing when you resort to blame or anger.
You might even feel that now if you do,
In this moment.
Holding space for another to express themselves while listening with open ears,
Forgiving yourself or another despite any lingering respite.
The list here is also endless.
How does it feel here in your body,
In your breath,
In this moment to know that every one of us has the capacity to live,
To lead,
And to love in this way?
However big or small,
Even during difficult moments,
How does this feel in your body,
In your breath,
In this moment that you have the capacity to lead with love in this way?
To love,
To live gently,
And to let go of what no longer serves you.
How does it feel to know that this is a possibility?
And how may you embody that possibility?
As Jack said,
What gift,
Even if the gift is the suffering that you've gone through and witnessed,
Might you bring to the world?
What is that first step?
What is that gift that you might have to offer?
Let your exhalation guide your attention back to the moment,
The body,
The breath.
If it feels comfortable for you to do so,
You can place the hands together evenly at the center of the chest,
A symbol of connection and gratitude,
Thanking yourselves for being here after all you've been through.
And thank yourselves for all you'll do moving forward,
However big or small,
Whether you succeed or stumble,
Knowing that every little bit counts.
Namaste.
