Hello,
This is Geri Leigh,
A mindful therapist.
And this meditation is offered for those who know at their core
that the treatment they're receiving now or have received in a relationship in the past
is not life-giving,
Not affirming,
Or healthy.
You know this is happening if you come away from interactions feeling deflated,
Sad or angry,
Insignificant,
Unseen,
Or worse if these feelings color the entire relationship over time.
Softer,
Kind-hearted people may be especially targeted by those
exhibiting callous or harmful behaviors.
But the solution is not to join them in the dog-eat-dog survival tactics.
Rather than changing who you are,
The first step is to practice the art
of radical acceptance.
That is to acknowledge what really is
without rose-colored glasses.
Sometimes the mistake is made to assume that the kind-hearted or sensitive among us
are somehow weaker or just haven't developed tough enough skin.
And I'm guessing you've heard this before.
But in fact it takes more resolve,
More resilience and strength
to live a life of warmth and kindness when the temptation
to grow aggressive and cold closes in.
So my kind-hearted community,
Let's bolster your support system today.
Affirming who you are.
Learning to own boundaries and enforce them as your own best advocate.
Moving eventually into making necessary life changes
that minimize the impact of these unhealthy relationships
and draining interactions.
This work is not easy,
And it is not fast work.
But it is necessary for a higher and healthier quality of life,
And it is what you deserve.
This meditation is for you to nurture and protect your energy
and maybe even to replenish it.
Find your comforting sit with eyes closed or open,
Depending on your current situation.
Find a space of support.
Arriving here.
Aware of your body.
Aware of any tension that seeks to be released.
Arrive here to your body.
To the water.
To your body.
To the senses.
Ground yourself in the breath by noticing it.
Observe the breath so that it becomes a mindful act.
Ground yourself in the now
by hearing the sounds around you.
You're in a safe place with kindness extended.
You're in a safe space
where kindness is the default.
And you deserve this because you are human
and dignified treatment is your birthright.
Notice your breath.
We know that this world can dish out maltreatment.
You have felt its effects.
Let's mindfully notice the emotions.
They want to be felt and seen
as they are passing through.
Observe your feelings.
As you come into the awareness of your feelings,
You acknowledge the reality of interactions
or relationships that have left you feeling smaller,
Way smaller than you are.
A voice that was hushed.
A truth or reality questioned.
Your presence that was dismissed.
Ideas or opinions ridiculed
or not valued.
Whatever your personal experiences,
Know that here
they are validated.
They are honored as the truth you've lived.
It's not your responsibility to investigate the whys
of what caused others to act in harmful ways.
Rather,
Let's use our precious energy to nurture the wounded spirit.
To embrace and fortify the kind person that you are.
To celebrate your survival
and to rebuild self-worth brick
by powerful brick.
Breathe in
and exhale.
Let us affirm now.
I affirm that I am deserving of kindness,
Care and effort.
I affirm that I am worthy of actions
and relationships that provide reciprocation of effort
and resources that I give.
I affirm that I am deserving of time,
Attention and all the things that feed a healthy
relationship and interaction.
I am worthy to be heard without interruption,
To be seen
without degradation.
I am deserving of all that feeds my intrinsic and undeniable
value and purpose here.
I am free to let go of all that leaves
a dent in my heart or a stain on my
beautiful brain.
I am free to let it go.
I acknowledge today that any maltreatment or disregard by others
is in no way a reflection of my worth,
My strength or my capabilities.
Compassion begins with you towards you.
Breathe in compassion.
Compassion for the self.
Patience as we come in to greater awareness.
And this greater
awareness calls for action.
My mother also said it well when she shared,
Do the best you can until you know better.
Then when you know better,
Do better.
And as we come out of this meditation time,
My kindhearted community,
You warrior of wisdom and warmth,
Take what you need today to be reminded that there is power
within you.
The power of the seed that creates
a flower,
The power of a soul that grows beauty from ashes.
Tend to your breath now,
Providing it a sanctuary of softness,
Inhaling and exhaling.
Gift your body a release from all tension.
Moving out
of stillness,
Reopening your eyes,
Wishing you peace on your path.
Breathe.
