Gratitude and Loving Kindness

So beginning by taking a moment to get really comfortable and settled in here for this meditation. Allowing your eyes to close. And taking a long, slow breath in. And a steady breath out. And allowing the body to relax and settle in here a little more.

In today's practice, I'm going to invite you to take some time here to contemplate all the things that you are really grateful for in your life. So just seeing what initially comes to mind. It might be the comforts in your life. Cupboards full of food. Enough money to pay the rent.

Hot water for showers. Maybe your favorite tea or coffee. The way the morning light comes into your bedroom in the morning. And maybe what's coming to mind is gratitude for your health or a pain free body, or to have this moment right now to relax and take care of yourself. And perhaps what's coming to mind as the primary thing is the people in your life.

Your loved ones. And the way they've cared for you. Been patient with you. The way they've forgiven you. Loved you.

Showed up for you. Supported you. So just taking a moment to bring to mind the people who have been kind and supportive and encouraging of you in your life. And I'm going to now introduce some phrases of loving kindness as a way to really connect with a feeling of gratitude for all of the support and kindness that you've received in your life. Maybe even from strangers, people at work.

As well as your loved ones, your family and your friends. We're going to do this as a way to kind of send out a thank you and a blessing to all the people who've loved you into being, supported you along the journey of your life. So bringing those people to mind, having just a sense of them in whatever way works for you. Holding those people in mind, if you care to now, repeating mentally these phrases after me. Thank you for all that you've given me.

Thank you for your love and kindness. May you have peace in your heart. May you be free from suffering. May your life flow with ease. May you be happy.

And now just bathing here for a few moments in feelings of gratitude and loving kindness. And then taking a deep breath in. And a steady breath out as you begin to wriggle the fingers and toes. And when you're ready, opening your eyes. Wishing you a great day ahead and thank you for your practice.