Mindfulness

Mindfulness is being aware of all thoughts, acknowledging the positive and negative forces tugging at you from every side. Slowing down and focusing on where your head is at, can help you see things more clearly. Begin by closing your eyes and steadying your breathing. Feel the rhythms of the air flowing in and out of your lungs. Allow your mind to focus on the beat of your heart as it falls into rhythm with your breathing. Strip away the exterior influences, the noise pollution, the whispering voices of negativity, the other. Focus on self.

Inhale: Be mindful of each molecule of air bringing life to your body.

Exhale: Focus on the living molecules invigorating your cells.

Inhale: Find your essence.

Exhale: Know your being.

Inhale: Take in all the names that others have given to you, and sort them in your mind.

Exhale: Allow any of those names that do not describe you to exit your body in the air molecules escaping through your lips.

Inhale: Self-affirmations of who you know yourself to be.

Exhale: Self-condemnations that lie to you about your true self.

Begin your walk, being mindful of each footfall, of each inhalation and exhalation of breath. Focus on being fully present, taking in the natural surroundings that guide you along your path. Open your ears to the natural around you; allow it to whisper truths to you.

If you find your mind wandering into toxic territory, do not fight it. Instead, see it for all that it is and expel it from your body for the toxin it is. Watch it dissipate into the atmosphere. Re-center and re-focus. Ignoring toxicity does not rid you of it. Instead, ignoring it allows the toxin to bury itself deep, where it can only be found when it wants to wound you. Releasing the toxin into the external allows you to extract it and be separated from it.

Take a moment to stretch. Stretch your physical body to release tension and pain. Stretch your mental body to release tension and pain. Stretch your emotional body to release tension and pain. Stretch your spiritual body to release tension and pain.

With your bodies limbered and ready, resume your walk and affirm yourself with each step.

Strength – You are strong. You have the power to change the world around you. Your strength is yours, and no one has the right to take it away from you. You are the master of your strength.

Wisdom – You are wise. Your discernment allows you to see the world around you in ways that allow you to make decisions that benefit you and those around you, while not hurting others.

Kindness – You are kind. You see those around you as fellow travelers in this life. You are in this together. Your kindness begins at the center of your being and emanates outward.

Love – You are love. Your heart leads you to encounter life from a place of compassion. Your aura is like the tendrils of a vine, enveloping everything around you and pulling it into your embrace.

Beauty – You are beautiful. Your soul centers your being and from that point all your beauty emanates. It is first spiritual then emotional and finally reflecting physically on your being.

Gentleness – You are gentle. You offer grace to yourself when you feel harsh. You offer grace to others when they seem lost. You flow like a breeze, comforting without condemnation.

Take a moment to stretch. Stretch your physical body to release tension and pain. Stretch your mental body to release tension and pain. Stretch your emotional body to release tension and pain. Stretch your spiritual body to release tension and pain. Allow yourself to repeat the phrases until you not only understand their truth, but believe their truth: I am strong; I am wise; I am kind; I am love; I am beautiful; I am gentle.

Take these thoughts with you throughout your day. Dwell on these truths as you perform your daily tasks. You are powerful and empowered. You are more than your name; more than your physical being; more than the words spoken to you. You are more.

Inhale: Let the universe breathe in and through you.

Exhale: Share your essence with the universe around you.

Inhale: Be a part of the larger universe that surrounds you.

Exhale: Allow yourself to be known within the larger universe.

Announce your presence. Be heard. Be known. Be.

Stay in this spot. Breathe in and out. Stay in this spot. Be mindful.

Breathe.