What would it mean to cherish yourself unflinchingly? Meditation and if-ermations for Pride Month!

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In this episode, I discuss:

• 00:34 - Welcome
• 01:07 - Meditation and If-Ermations for Pride Month

Episode transcript:
"...It is currently the last Monday in June of 2024, and so I would like to offer one more practice in honor of Pride Month.

I'd like to offer a short meditation and some information around pride, self-worth, and confidence.

And today, I would like to dive right in to the practice.

So go ahead and start to set yourself up, whatever feels right for meditation today.

Seated or lying down or walking slowly through a familiar area.

And as you begin to settle in to whatever shape you are choosing in this moment, I invite you to begin by noticing where your body is connected to the earth.

Perhaps feeling your feet in your shoes and your shoes on the earth, or parts of your seat, hips, glutes, legs, on the chair you're sitting on, or parts of the back body, whatever you're resting, lying on.

And as you notice that connection, foundation, also begin to notice what areas of your body feel more at ease in this moment.

Any areas of your body that are holding on to a little tension, tightness, energy, and if you're seated or lying down, with a few easy breaths, could you soften and surrender a little more fully through those spaces?

If you're moving, maybe doing some head turns, shoulder shrugs, arm or leg shakes, then.

You good to go.

And wherever.

You're at, start to bring a gentle awareness to the sense of your breath.

Notice when the mind wanders.

And without any judgment, bring your thoughts back to noticing your breath in this moment.

And then begin to gently expand your breath, finding a slightly deeper inhale, and a slower exhale.

Continue to keep awareness on the breath as you lengthen and deepen.

And gently release, control of the breath.

And now I invite you to reflect on a time in your life.

When you completed something, accomplished something, created something that made you feel really good, something you did, that you were very proud of.

And as you call this instance to mind, hold it in your present awareness.

Notice what other thoughts, feelings, sensations arise.

Notice if there's any resistance, that's okay.

Notice how or where that shows up.

Calling to mind this thing that you did, that you completed, that you created, that you were so very proud of.

A big thing, a small thing, something recent or long ago, whatever this is.

Hold this thing in your present awareness, and can you begin to cultivate a feeling of accomplishment, of pride, maybe of joy in your heart?

And maybe allow this feeling of pride to begin to grow, to spread through your chest, through your whole torso, through your whole body.

You hold this feeling of pride, accomplishment, creativity, or purpose.

Notice again how you feel throughout your body, your breath, any other thoughts or emotions that arise.

And now I invite you to call to mind a time when you supported or stood up for another person, a time in your life when you supported or stood up for another person, small or large, recent or long ago.

As you try to call this to mind, notice any feelings in your body, in your breath, any resistances that arise.

And as you settle your mind, your intention on this instance of supporting or standing up for another person.

Can you begin to cultivate a sense of confidence, tenacity, peace, or support?

As you hold this moment in your present awareness, notice what feeling it is that starts to arise in your chest.

And can you allow that feeling to grow, to expand, to fill your torso, to fill your torso, fill your body.

Fill your body.

And now I invite you to call to mind an instance when someone supported you or stood up for you.

Notice any sensations that arise as you try and reflect on a time when someone supported you or stood up for you, small instance or a large instance, recent or past.

Notice the response, body, mind, emotion, breath.

And as you hold in your mind this time when you felt supported, can you feel the love from this person, and grow a sense of love in your heart?

Thanks.

Expand that loving support to fill your chest, your torso, your whole body.

You are worthy of support.

You are perfect.

Just as you are.

Continue to notice the sensations throughout your experience, physically, mentally, emotionally.

And for a moment, come back to the anchor of your breath.

Feel and inhale.

Feel and exhale.

Now, I invite you to say to yourself, firmly and with conviction, what if my courage is stronger than my fear?

What if I am true to my own path?

What if I truly believe in myself?

What if I am courageous, bold, and strong?

What if I am free to be me?

If you are seated or lying down, begin to invite gentle movements back into your body.

Begin to slowly blink or flutter eyes back toward fully open, if they're closed.

And if you would like to spend a moment in reflection on today's practice, maybe you spend some time thinking about it, writing about it.

Maybe also spend some time thinking about how you could continue this practice, or carry any of the lessons from this practice into the rest of your day.

Thank you for being here, and I will see you next time..."