Feeling overwhelmed?

I hear you.

Close your eyes. Project yourself onto your mind screen.

Take a deep breath. Tune in. Observe yourself, and listen to your heartbeat. Is it racing to catch up with your mind?

You see, this person needs you.

Even when you feel like shutting everything out, don’t shut yourself out.

Even when you feel like you don’t want to care about anything anymore, please care for yourself.

You need to be strong—not just for others, but for you.

Give yourself an abundance of love.

Inhale, and hold.

There’s so much we can’t control, but right now, focus on what you can.

You are here.

You are in control of your breath.

Exhale.

Let everything go.

Notice the difference between your natural breathing rhythm and what happens when you become aware of it.

When you consciously inhale, hold, and exhale, you start to recognize your threshold: the space between what feels manageable and what doesn’t. There will always be things beyond your control—just like you can’t hold your breath forever—but with practice, your threshold will expand.

That’s the gift of being alive.

Make peace with the past.

You can’t change it, but you can shape the present moment and influence the future.

It helps to zoom out before you zoom back in. When you focus on something, you give it life.

Breathe.

Instead of letting pressure dictate when you release your breath, let every inhale, every exhale be a choice you make.

Move your awareness slowly—from the top of your head to your third eye, your nose, your throat… down through your chest, abdomen, hands, legs, and toes.

Then, shift your focus entirely outside your body.

Your mind is not a prison. It’s not confined to your thoughts or feelings. You are a part of everything around you. You are consciousness, and the entire universe exists within you.

Your breath is your anchor. Anytime you shift your focus back to it, let it be your reminder that there’s always something that you can control. Go for it. Put yourself out there. Ask for help. You’ll see that there are always people who are glad to help.

At the end of the day, we’re a social species.

Not a tree 🙃

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Credit:

Original audio by Chris Austin Gratton