Hi there,
This is Shumaila.
In this exercise we will use the power of mindfulness practice to restore your feelings of confidence that may have been impacted by negative experiences in life.
Confidence is a very attractive quality that draws people and circumstances to us.
We always influence everything around us,
But when we shine our light brightly,
We make a greater and more positive impact on the world.
We can influence others by being an example of confidence and joy as we walk our own path.
If you are a survivor of very difficult circumstance in your life,
For example a family trauma,
A political crisis,
Or any other,
You will get to a stage in your mindfulness path with an even stronger sense of confidence and a deeper appreciation for your own resourcefulness.
Long after the core wound has healed,
Life's trauma and challenges leave their mark on confidence,
Attitudes,
Relationships,
And behaviors.
It may make us question who we are and what beliefs and values do we represent.
Moreover,
If you have encountered gaslighting behaviors at home or workplace,
Whereby people you love unexpectedly diminish your feelings of pain and hurt,
Or workplace bullies that communicate to you with condescension,
You could be in a never-ending cycle of self-doubt,
Where you feel as if you have to constantly work really,
Really hard to prove yourself to others.
Mindfulness practice can help you to feel more confident in yourself,
Restoring you to your authenticity.
One of the first ways to reclaim your authentic self is to ensure that you are feeling safe wherever you are.
Over time,
You may have developed the tendency to over-monitor everything in your experience,
Looking out for signs of danger,
Harm,
Or anything unpleasant,
Or wanting to control the outcome of a situation.
So,
If you learn to acknowledge your need to control without letting it take over your well-being in the present moment,
You will stop undermining your confidence by reassuring yourself that you are doing just fine.
By opening up to and bringing mindfulness to all of the positive states of being throughout your day,
Your sense of self-confidence will grow bit by bit,
Drop by drop,
Until your water bucket of self-confidence is full and embodied.
The more you open up to your sense of being okay in this moment,
And moment by moment,
The more your nervous system will relax,
And the more embodied you will feel,
And the more internal resources you will feel are available to you.
By also bringing mindfulness to more and more moments of safety,
Health,
Happiness,
And peace,
You will automatically increase self-confidence within you,
And feel more confident about others.
So,
Let's begin this meditation by taking a few moments to settle in.
Close your eyes and begin to relax.
As you allow your breath to flow freely now,
I would like you to clear your mind.
Breathe in courage and breathe out fear.
The idea isn't to rid your mind of all thoughts,
But to encourage a smooth flow of breathing to a count of four,
Hold for a count of four,
And release to a count of four,
Followed by repeating positive affirmations.
Let's do this together.
Inhale,
Two,
Three,
Four.
Hold,
Two,
Three,
Four.
Exhale,
Two,
Three,
Four.
Now repeat these affirmations.
I am okay in this moment.
I am safe.
I can trust my body.
I can trust my mind.
I trust that I am guided.
One more time.
Inhale,
Two,
Three,
Four.
Hold,
Two,
Three,
Four.
Exhale,
Two,
Three,
Four.
Now repeat these affirmations.
I am moving forward in my power and truth.
I grow stronger each day.
I am proud to be me.
I don't need to run from myself.
I am safe no matter where I am.
Set an intention to bring peace to your mind.
And breathing out,
Letting go of overthinking,
Letting go of stress or anxiety,
And releasing anything that distracts you from the present moment.
Let's do this one more time.
Inhale,
Two,
Three,
Four.
Hold,
Two,
Three,
Four.
Exhale,
Two,
Three,
Four.
Now say this to yourself.
I am in a state of flow.
Setbacks are part of recovery.
Mistakes are an opportunity to learn.
I am a victor and not a victim.
This will get easier soon.
Good work.
Now with one more nice deep inhale and a slow exhale,
Bring all of your attention within,
Noticing your breath,
Noticing how your body feels,
Going deeper and deeper inside.
Let's do it one more time.
Inhale,
Two,
Three,
Four.
Hold,
Two,
Three,
Four.
Exhale,
Two,
Three,
Four.
Now repeat these affirmations.
I am brave.
I am strong.
I am more than enough.
Everything I need is inside of me.
I am the cure.
Great work.
If you are breathing fine,
Then there is more right than wrong with you.
If you are deeply seated in the present moment,
You have many internal resources to choose how you relate to your experience.
Now repeat these affirmations.
I am going to give time,
Time.
It's always darkest before the dawn.
Everything is as it should be.
Everything is all right right now.
I am safe within me.
I engage with life.
I connect with life.
Well done.
I hope you feel more confident about yourself in this present moment.
Thank you for your mindfulness practice.
I hope this has been helpful for you.
Sending you love and peace.
Salaam.
