Give Yourself Grace
It’s human to make mistakes or perform at less than our full potential. Today, we practice extending ourselves grace and releasing feelings of shame.
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Give yourself grace. You might have heard this mantra before. And it's one we'd like to explore today, because there will always be moments when we don't live up to our best selves, and that's where grace comes in. Grace gives us permission to love ourselves even on days when we make mistakes. It lets us acknowledge our faults with compassion and forgiveness, and it lets us move forward and try again tomorrow. Today, we will focus on giving ourselves grace. It's an intention for those days when you're being hard on yourself. Because in those moments, you can always choose to lean into compassion and love for the person you are. (soft meditative music) So find yourself in a comfy position, whether that's sitting or standing. And gently close your eyes if you can. And take a deep breath in, and out. Try to lengthen your exhale slowly so that you end up breathing in on a count of three and you exhale on a count of five. I'll give you some time to find that rhythm. (soft meditative music) (soft meditative music continues) When you've settled into your rhythm, call to mind today's intention, and on each exhale, repeat out loud or in your head. I give myself grace. (soft meditative music) I give myself grace. (soft meditative music) (soft meditative music continues) Continue to breathe. I will offer some thoughts over the next few minutes. And in response to each, I ask you to respond along with me using today's intention and maintain your breath. Here we go. For the days I'm not able to do it all, I give myself grace. For the moments when I need rest, I give myself grace. For the times when fear clouds my mind, I give myself grace. For the words I wish I could take back, I give myself grace. For the things I've yet to do, I give myself grace. I am learning, I give myself grace. I am changing, I give myself grace. I am growing, I give myself grace. (soft meditative music) Now return to your breath and hold today's intention for a few moments more, breathing in, and out. (soft meditative music) (soft meditative music continues) (soft meditative music continues) (soft meditative music continues) Beautiful job. Notice how you feel in this moment. Maybe you feel a little lighter or see if your heart feels a little more open. You might feel soft or tender. That's good. When we find ways to give ourselves grace, we work towards loving ourselves for the simple fact that we exist. You don't need to earn dignity, compassion, or love. It's always yours. (soft meditative music) Let's take a final deep breath in, and out. Let's repeat our mantra one last time out loud or in your head. I give myself grace. (soft meditative music) I give myself grace. (soft meditative music) Wonderful work today. Try to hold on to this softness. (soft meditative music)...
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About your teachers
- More about Andy
A former Buddhist monk, Andy has guided people in meditation and mindfulness for 20 years. In his mission to make these practices accessible to all, he co-created the Headspace app in 2010.
- More about Eve
Eve is a mindfulness teacher, overseeing Headspace’s meditation curriculum. She is passionate about sharing meditation to help others feel less stressed and experience more compassion in their lives.
- More about Dora
As a meditation teacher, Dora encourages others to live, breathe, and be with the fullness of their experiences. She loves meditation’s power to create community and bring clarity to people’s minds.
- More about Kessonga
Kessonga has been an acupuncturists, therapist, and meditation teacher, working to bring mindfulness to the diverse populations of the world.
- More about Rosie
Rosie Acosta has studied yoga and mindfulness for more than 20 years and taught for over a decade. Rosie’s mission is to help others overcome adversity and experience radical love.
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