Embracing New Beginnings

I think there's always a moment right at the beginning of a new school year where a part of you wonders what this new year holds, or maybe assumes what's going to happen. Maybe it's the early mornings you're already thinking about. The friendships that feel familiar and new at the same time. The pressure to perform. The anticipated workload waiting for you. We tend to step into new beginnings like we already know how they're going to go. Like we've done this before, and we know exactly what it's going to feel like. But in reality, we don't. It's just that the mind may make it feel like we do. So let's begin here. Finding a comfortable position and sitting upright. When you're ready, gently closing your eyes. Now taking a few deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth. Every inhale is a moment to reset and every exhale is an opportunity to let go. Now allowing your breath to settle back into its natural rhythm. And there's no need to control the breath. We're just going to notice the breath and notice that gentle rising and falling in the body. And as you sit here, following the breath, seeing if you can hold this moment with a little more curiosity, not knowing exactly what this year will bring, and not needing to. And when the mind wanders, just noticing it has, and gently returning the focus back to the breath and back to this moment. Beginning again begins with returning back to the present moment, coming back to the breath. Each breath offering a fresh start. As we come to a close, take this question with you into the rest of your day. What would it be like to meet this new school year the way that you've met the breath, with curiosity, letting go of control, instead of assumption or judgment? What would it be like to meet this new school year the same way that you've met the breath in this practice? Letting go of control. Leading with curiosity and not with assumptions or judgment. Now taking one more deep breath in and out. And when you're ready, slowly and gently opening your eyes and continuing on from here with this sense of openness and curiosity to what comes next. And feel free to return to this exercise when you need a moment to reset. Take care....