Welcome to this meditation on learning to pause,
Not quit,
So you can prevent and recover from burnout.
My name is Anna Coomore.
So let's start by finding a comfortable position.
You can sit upright with your feet grounded,
Or lie down and allow your body to be fully supported.
Gently close your eyes.
Take a slow breath in through your nose,
And slowly exhale through your mouth.
Again,
Inhale and exhale.
Today,
We are exploring a powerful reminder to learn to rest,
But not quit.
Imagine you are climbing a long trail up a mountain.
The path has been steady,
Although sometimes steep,
Sometimes uncertain.
You know the way.
You know where you want to go,
But you find yourself slowing down.
Your backpack is feeling heavier than it was at the beginning of the trip.
You turn to see a smooth rock at the side of the trail,
In the shade,
Near a babbling brook.
You decide to sit down in the cool air.
Maybe you feel some mist hitting your skin on the breeze from a nearby waterfall.
You take a deep breath,
And exhale a long,
Slow,
Deep exhale.
You are resting.
Resting says,
I care for myself.
Resting says,
I trust myself.
Resting says,
I will continue.
Now,
Bring to mind something in your life that feels demanding right now.
A goal,
A responsibility,
Or a challenge.
Notice if you've been pushing without pause.
Notice if your body and mind have been asking for rest.
Just a pause before continuing on toward your goals and responsibilities.
Now,
Repeat to yourself,
I am allowed to rest.
Rest helps me recover my mental and physical strength.
Rest is an act of self-respect.
See yourself standing back up on that trail up the mountain.
Your body feels steadier.
Your mind feels clearer.
The path is still there,
And so are you,
And it feels good to get moving again.
You are stronger because you listened.
Wiser because you paused and rested.
Take another long,
Deep breath in,
And exhale.
You have everything you need when you learn to rest and not quit.
