Choose Your Pace This Holiday Season

Welcome to this moment to choose your pace this season.

Find a comfortable position sitting or lying down.

Let your shoulders soften and your jaw unclench.

If it feels good gently close your eyes or lower your gaze.

Take a slow deep breath in through your nose and a long exhale out your mouth.

One more time inhale letting your belly expand and exhale letting your whole body soften just a little more.

Now imagine the holiday season like a road in front of you.

There may be traffic,

Noise,

Expectations,

Plans,

Invitations.

Notice how your body feels when you think of the holiday pace.

Do you feel rushed,

Tight,

Buzzing?

Or maybe you feel tired,

Heavy,

Or pulled in every direction.

Place one hand on your heart or on your belly,

Whatever feels most comfortable.

And take a big breath in and a big exhale out and silently ask yourself,

How might I shift my pace to serve me more this holiday?

Trust the first sense,

Image,

Word,

Or feeling that arises.

There's no right or wrong.

Only what's true for you.

On your next inhale breathe in that chosen pace and see it as a color,

A texture,

A rhythm moving through your whole body.

Inhale I choose my pace and exhale I release others expectations.

Allow your breath to fall into a natural rhythm that matches this pace.

Maybe it's a little slower than usual.

Maybe it's steady and strong.

Let your breath set the tone for how you move through this season.

If your mind wanders to your to-do list or other people's needs,

That's okay.

Gently guide your attention back to your body.

Guide your attention back to your breath and your chosen pace.

Repeat silently with each breath,

This season I move at the pace that serves me.

My pace is good enough.

Take one more deep nourishing breath in and a long releasing exhale out.

Begin to wiggle your fingers and toes and when you're ready,

Gently open your eyes or lift your gaze,

Carrying this chosen pace with you into the rest of your day and this season.

One intentional breath at a time.

You got this my friend.