Welcome back.
We are on our final of two days for our seven days of wintering and I just want to welcome us in with a big slow inhale through the nose for 5,
4,
3,
2.
A slightly longer exhale bringing us into the space for 5,
4,
3,
2.
Today is day six of our seven days of wintering and today is about small lights because what I found in winter is although the Gregorian calendar tells us we need these grand reinventions of ourselves,
Oftentimes our nervous systems actually just need warmth,
Small doable actions that remind our body that we're held,
That we're safe.
So small lights are just what I call little practices that don't require any motivation,
A perfect mood,
But can just bring you back to yourself in moments where you maybe feel lower than normal.
And so today we're going to choose one and see how that feels for us.
So first let's settle into our seat,
Let our shoulders drop,
Maybe do a quick body scan of what feels tight.
Maybe it's unclenching our jaw or softening our belly.
Now take a big deep breath in through your nose and ask yourself what would feel good to my body today?
Not what should help,
But what would actually feel nourishing.
I'm going to offer a few small lights and as you hear them just notice what your body responds to.
These are things that often bring me back to my body and nourish my soul when I'm feeling a little low.
Maybe it's a warm drink that you've held with both hands and you breathe deeply into the steam.
Maybe it's 10 minutes without your phone,
A soft playlist in the background that warms your heart.
Maybe it's a slow hot shower.
Maybe it's a song and a dance or a gentle stretch.
Maybe it's standing outside letting that winter sun and a few breaths of that cold air go through your lungs or lighting a candle and sitting quietly for 60 seconds.
Notice which one of those maybe created the smallest little exhale inside of you.
That's your nervous system choosing and it's so beautiful how much wisdom lives within our bodies.
And so today what I'd love for us to do together is just a small light.
And so if you can place both hands around something near you.
Maybe you happen to have a mug near you.
Maybe it's a pillow or it's even holding your own hands.
But we're going to just let it be small.
So let's inhale together for 4,
3,
2,
1 and exhale just reminding ourselves to let it be small.
Inhale and exhale letting it be small.
So here's the thing about small lights.
They don't look impressive.
They're not going to be something that you often throw on your social media site or share with your best friend about.
But what they can do is change your baseline.
They build self-trust.
They build steadiness within your heart and they build safety within your body.
And so as you go throughout your day today maybe you relisten at a couple of those small lights I shared before and choose one and let yourself have it fully.
See how your body can be held when we choose just one tiny small ritual.
And just remember if your mind says that's not enough that's okay.
We get to remember that winter is not a season for proving but for tending.
And so as we close our time together let's take one more deep breath in and let it out slow.
Maybe blinking our eyes if we've had them closed orienting ourselves back to the space.
Tomorrow is our final day,
Day seven,
And we'll go through a gentle intention.
Something that isn't a resolution but can hold us safely.
I am so grateful for your mind,
Your body,
And your soul for showing up for yourself today and every day.
So until next time,
Be gentle.
