This simple meditation and guided exercise will show you a way to reconnect with the strength and confidence we all carry within.
Many people can forget that they have strength within them.
Some have suffered trauma that has conditioned them to believe that they are weak but everyone has an innate strength.
Humans are very resilient,
Yet often never realize that there is a deep core of strength within them.
This is not a traditional mindfulness practice.
But you can use this exercise to remember who and what you truly are.
First.
Know that whatever you believe about yourself,
You are already a strong person.
Sit or lay down.
And make yourself as comfortable as possible.
Close your eyes.
And breathe in through the nose.
And out through the mouth until you reach a comfortable rhythm.
Now.
Go back in memory to a situation that you found difficult.
Recognize and acknowledge any fear or aversion that is present as you bring this event to mind.
Maybe you want to ask for a raise?
Need to have a difficult conversation with a loved one.
Or have an upcoming appointment that is bringing some worry.
Or it may be that you find it hard to interact with people socially,
Or to go outside at all.
It can be anything that is a challenge to you.
Perhaps just getting through each day is a challenge.
And you may not realize that it takes strength to do that.
Rather than repeating the scene in your mind.
Imagine pressing pause.
And now ask yourself,
What the strongest version of yourself would do?
How would they handle it?
Picture your strong and confident self.
Handling the situation with complete kindness,
Care.
Patience and wisdom.
You are not intimidated or concerned and are calm.
As you visualise this situation in your head,
Notice and acknowledge that strength within you.
It is not a wish or daydream.
But something that does exist.
It does not fade if you do not use it.
It is always there.
Allow yourself to feel that strong and confident you.
Feel it as a strength inside.
Reconnect with yourself and your deeper inner wisdom and compassion.
In the face of difficulties.
You can continue with one experience,
Playing it through multiple times.
You can also try working with a different situation or event.
Continue to connect with the strength that you have within you.
Remember to breathe deeply.
And watch for any anxiety or worry.
Do not be afraid of these emotions.
They do not mean failure or weakness.
They are thoughts that have grown from a negative experience.
But all they are.
Our thoughts.
And can,
In times,
Be replaced with more positive ones and a stronger self identity.
Silently or aloud,
Say,
There is great strength within me.
I am strong,
Compassionate and whole.
Each day I will draw a little more on the well of strength within me.
Rest a moment.
Within the knowledge of that strength.
Simply know that it is there for you to access.
And indeed is with you all the time.
You might wish to imagine it as a core.
Or steel or stone.
Or a brilliant and bright gemstone that sits within,
Always ready for you to use.
You may not realise that you are using it.
Whenever you get through a difficult situation.
You are drawing on it.
Think of the times that you have come through something you feared and know that took strength.
And you called upon it,
And it answered.
Recognize that you do use it,
Even if you do not consciously know that you are doing so.
Take a few deep breaths.
And open your eyes.
You may decide to write down your feelings on doing this exercise.
It can help to give you a crystallized look at yourself as the strong person you are and help clarify how you are able to handle painful experiences.
Carry this knowledge with you from now on.
And remember that you already are very strong.
