Welcome, caregiver, to the meditation for when your loved one has a new diagnosis. As focus and concern shift to your loved one’s health and wellbeing, it is important to recognize that you are part of the story. The Negative Space is here with you in this and all the moments to come. This time and space are for you, and we are glad you’re here.
Let’s begin. I invite you to take a moment to find a comfortable position, honoring whatever feels best to your body right now. You can close your eyes, or softly rest your gaze on something in front of you. Relax your shoulders, and start to release any tightness you may be holding in your jaw.
If it feels comfortable, direct your attention inward, and find your breath. Observe if it is fast and shallow or slow and deep. However you find your breath today, softly smile and connect to it.
Begin by gently inhaling and exhaling. You may notice the coolness of the air coming in and the warmth of the air going out. Breathing in, feel your lungs expanding. Breathing out, feel your body relaxing. Observe where there is any tension currently present, and give yourself permission to let it soften and let it go.
As you breathe, silently say this phrase, I am part of the story. Let these words ride on your breath, filling your whole self with their truth and power. I am part of the story.
Continue to breathe slowly and gently. If you notice your mind wandering, that is ok; gently come back to your breath, and that phrase, and imagine these wandering thoughts rising out of your body and floating past you like clouds in the sky.
On your next exhale, rest your attention around your heart. Holding your focus there, feel the gratitude of your whole being for spending these moments on yourself, and on your part of the story. Imagine this feeling as a soft glow of light that expands with every breath. As you do, silently repeat to yourself, I am part of the story.
Picture this light expanding to fill all the spaces of your body with its warmth and radiance, bringing with it the truth and the power of the statement I am part of the story.
As the light passes through your shoulders, allow any stiffness you may encounter to melt, feel your jaw release, your brow soften, and notice how relaxed you feel.
As the light fills the lower half of your body, permit your belly to go soft, and let go of anything you may have been holding that is no longer serving you. With gentle knowing, silently repeat to yourself, I am part of the story.
Watch as the light travels past your seat and down your legs toward your feet. As you continue to breathe, feel the light coming out of the bottom of the soles of your feet. Take a moment to bask in this feeling of your whole being glowing. Breathing in. Breathing out. Reminding yourself: I am part of the story.
I’m going to be quiet for 30 seconds to let you be present in this moment of light and breath.
If you like, you can softly place your hand on your heart, and thank yourself for taking the time for this meditation practice. With one final inhale and exhale, invite a soft smile to your face, and slowly flutter open your eyes.
Welcome yourself back to the present moment by wiggling your fingers and your toes.
As you move forward with your day, remember that you are part of the story, and that we, at The Negative Space, are here for you.