Hello everyone.
Thank you for being here with me today.
I'm Alex L.
And I will be guiding you through a dear self meditation.
Before we begin,
Please get into a comfortable seat if that feels good for you.
Or you can make this a moving meditation.
That can look like brewing a cup of tea,
Going on a walk,
Or doing some light stretching as you listen to this.
Whatever feels right and good for you and your body,
Lean in there and do that.
Bringing our attention to the breath,
Dropping our shoulders and unclenching our jaw,
Softening our bodies,
Let's commit in this moment to being present,
Compassionate,
And patient with ourself.
You are worthy of being here in this space.
You are worthy of stillness and presence and self-comfort.
A question I'd like for you to keep close to your heart during our time together is what do I need to forgive myself for?
Whatever comes to the surface while we are in our meditation together,
Allow it.
Let everything that rises and falls teach you something about holding yourself in compassion,
About holding yourself in warmth and steadiness,
Even when it feels difficult,
Even when it feels painful.
Let's take a deep inhale in through the nose together and exhale through the nose,
Emptying your belly.
Inhale deep into the nose,
Filling up your belly,
Staying connected to your breath,
And exhale slowly,
Calmly,
Easefully through the nose.
Dear self,
I know that life can feel really hard and heavy.
Self-compassion and self-worth have been struggles for you for as long as I can remember.
It's beautiful to see how you're learning to grow through everything you've gone through.
There are days when you drop the ball completely.
There are days when you're so good at giving yourself grace.
My friend,
You are learning.
Let the days come.
The good ones and the bad ones,
The ones in between.
Be mindful that your healing will come in waves.
Your growth will too.
Not giving up on yourself is such a beautiful gift of self-compassion and care.
You are trying.
I know you are.
I see you.
I love you.
I'm sorry for letting you down as many times as I have.
Sometimes it's so much easier to shrink than to show up.
I know you deserve better than what I've offered you in the past.
And I am learning how to heal for and with you.
Thank you for staying with me through the highs and the lows.
Thank you for not giving up on me.
Thank you for everything because I don't thank you enough.
You are not here by mistake.
Your life has deep meaning.
You are doing what you can with what you have and I am proud of you.
On the days that feel like you can't go on,
Rest.
Take a break when healing is too hard.
On the days you feel like giving up,
Breathe.
This is a part of your process.
You are a valuable soul.
Your light warms the hearts and lives of many,
Including your own.
Stay with yourself.
Stay with me.
As you start to bring your attention back to my voice,
Whether you're in a seated meditation or a moving one,
I'd like you to bring that question back to the forefront of your mind.
What do you need to forgive yourself for?
This practice is an extension of self-love and self-forgiveness,
Of gratitude and glory.
Inhale deep through the nose,
Filling up your belly,
Softening your shoulders,
Unclenching your jaw,
And exhale through the nose until you can't empty your belly anymore.
Once more,
Inhale self-forgiveness.
Exhale through the nose,
Self-doubt.
Inhale self-forgiveness.
Exhale through the nose,
Uncertainty.
Inhale self-forgiveness.
And exhale inner peace.
You belong to yourself.
You live with yourself.
You are your own.
May these words comfort you and carry you through your day.
Thank you for being here with me.
Take care.
