Choosing Love As Orientation

Welcome to Be With Melinda.

Begin by settling your body.

Notice what's holding you.

The chair,

The floor,

The surface beneath you,

The mat,

The cushion,

The bed.

Let your weight drop into that support.

Take a slow breath in through the nose and exhale through the mouth,

Unforced.

Again,

Take a slow breath in through the nose and exhale through the mouth,

Unforced.

This practice is not about creating a feeling.

It's about choosing a direction.

Bring your attention to the center of your chest.

Not to change it,

Just to notice the area.

Feel the natural movement there as you breathe.

Love here is not emotion.

It's orientation.

It's how attention is placed.

Silently say to yourself,

I choose how I meet this moment.

Notice what happens in the body when you stop bracing,

Even slightly.

You're not reaching for warmth.

You are allowing softness to be possible.

If nothing shifts,

That's fine.

Intention doesn't always require sensation.

Now ask quietly,

What quality do I want to lead with right now?

Not what you should feel and not what others expect.

Just what is honest and sustainable.

It might be care.

It might be patience.

It might be restraint.

It might simply be presence.

Let that word or quality settle in the body.

No effort,

No forcing.

Silently say,

This is how I orient.

If thoughts arise,

Let them pass.

You're not solving anything.

You're choosing alignment.

Notice how the body responds when love is not demanded,

Only chosen.

Stay here for a few breaths.

Before closing,

Gently orient to your surroundings.

Notice something you can see,

Something you can feel,

And something you can hear.

This brings intention into the present moment.

When you're ready,

Begin to move your fingers and toes.

Let your eyes open softly.

Or remain closed.

Carry this orientation with you.

Love does not need intensity.

It needs consistency.