Hey everybody, it’s Gibi.
Today, instead of rambling, I wanted to write something a little more formal,
and I was thinking about the idea of mindfulness into relaxation,
And I wanted to create a video that was calming, but also hopefully uplifting, and a little introspective,
if that’s okay.
Maybe more than a little, depending on how much you would like to lean into it.
The inspiration for this video was Baby Einstein.
It's something I used to watch as a kid. They would film very mesmerizing footage and toys,
and overlay it with classical music.
It was so satisfying and calming - probably my first ASMR experience!
I wanted to recreate that in my own way - so instead of classical music, I’ll just be here, talking a bit.
Feel free to tune me out, or use it as a meditation as the visuals shift.
The visuals you're seeing don’t have any particular meaning,
just things I hoped you would enjoy looking at.
So get cozy, take a deep breath
and settle yourself in.
You can start by taking a minute to think through anything you might need to do in case you fall asleep.
Are your alarms set?
Have you taken any medication you might need to take?
If you’re watching on your phone, is it charged or charging, or are you at full battery?
If you need to turn off any lights, lock any doors, or adjust anything now?
I encourage you to wear comfy clothing, turn on a fan, grab an extra blanket,
whatever you need to be feeling great.
Once you’re ready, let’s start to ease into our meditation.
Nothing is expected of you here.
This is meant to be an appreciation of you, and just being here.
There is no wrong way to participate,
and my words are available to you to use in whatever way makes sense to your mind.
It's not important that you have any particular experience with meditation.
Anyone can receive these words.
It’s my intention to give you a sense of peace and comfort.
Remember that we are a beautiful presence in the world.
Everyone watching right now - because you aren’t alone.
We’re all here with you.
I am grateful that you have chosen to be here as a form of self-care.
You are valuable.
You are worthy.
You are so much more than a vehicle for productivity.
Your life has meaning just by you being here.
The people around you, and the world at large benefit from your existence in ways you may never get to see or understand.
And there is no one who can replace you
You are enough.
Some of us inhabit bodies and minds that betray us, and in times of difficulty,
I hope you can show yourself the compassion that you would show another person in your circumstances.
Your struggles are real, and your struggles are important.
And, so are your needs, and wants, and hopes.
There is an aspect of who you are in what you dream of.
And your dreams are important.
The act of dreaming, in itself, is a bold and worthwhile endeavor.
Instead of focusing on reaching some sort of invisible finish line,
I would love to just sit in where we are today,
where we are right now.
How much we have,
how much we've done,
how much we've experienced.
Right now is real.
You don’t have to wait for tomorrow, or next week, or next year.
Your right now is always here for you.
Can you think of what comes to mind when you hear the word 'grateful'?
Are there certain things, feelings, experiences, people, even thoughts that you are grateful for?
Those are yours.
Your place in the world is beyond question,
even in times it may not seem that way.
You are wanted,
and you are deserving of love.
Remember that we are deserving of respect and dignity.
Of kindness.
Of community.
Everyone is on a journey every single day -
the culmination of all of your experiences, thoughts, emotions, and actions -
not always looking to reach a specific goal or place -
but on a continuous journey of life, growth, and understanding.
It's important to view ourselves and others with a generous heart.
Everyone is trying.
Everyone is carrying a unique heavy load that we may know nothing about.
Even internally, sometimes we forget to get to know ourselves.
It’s exciting to realize how much you can still learn and understand about yourself alone.
Internally, what’s inside.
And your existence is truly amazing.
We do the best we can with what we know at the time.
And we can learn.…and then, we can do better,
and we can put that love and understanding back into the world -
inherently becoming an integral piece of an incredible shared existence.
It is unfair to ask ourselves to never fail.
So much improves with practice -
even things like knowing yourself, speaking kindly about yourself in your own thoughts,
or learning something brand new.
To expect to not fail is impossible.
I am grateful for the times when I’m not so good at something,
and recognize that that’s truly okay.
It means that the journey can start.
If it’s something we truly desire, practice can help us achieve that.
There are pathways built into your brain that can be altered by you alone -
truly, literally, through practice and mindfulness.
I encourage you to start redirecting your thoughts to one that better serve your wellbeing, happiness, and growth.
Start to recognize and catch how you respond instantly to events.
How do you speak to yourself?
Can you change that language over and over again, to something more kind,
more thoughtful, more serving to your health and self-love?
And applying this to those around you as well -
can we practice our patience, our listening, and our desire to understand?
Your life, and your personhood are in constant motion,
with everyone around you in the same flow.
The world almost never applies the same scrutiny to you that you apply to yourself.
We can imagine that other people are consumed with their own concerns,
and there is a grace in that.
It allows us to set aside the notion that we must be perfect for all people at all times,
and that the smallest intentional acts of kindness and love for yourself and others
can contribute to an infinite impact.
Living in the world means having an effect on the world.
I’m so glad you’re here.
Your presence is so important. And your wellbeing matters so much.
You deserve to feel good.
So I want you to think about your breath,
and that the things we need are being drawn inside when we inhale,
and the things we don’t need are being expelled as we exhale.
You have everything you need.
You’re okay.
Breathing in the thoughts that help us thrive.
Breathing out the thoughts that do us harm.
Think about a time you were very relaxed.
What did it look like?
How did you feel?
What did you feel?
Let's try to breathe that in.
And while you take that in, let it take up the space it deserves.
When you're breathing out,
we breathe out the insecurity, the frustration.
Breathe out any notion that tells you that you don’t deserve happiness.
Because you do deserve happiness.
Think of what you need to breathe in,
and what you need to breathe out.
Right now, I would like to focus on the relaxation.
The time for motivation and productivity is not 24 hours a day.
You need rest.
Everyone needs rest.
You are not an exception.
It can be a very fulfilling thing to say yes to possibilities,
but there’s also power in saying no.
To allow ourselves to focus on what we do have,
and not always feeling the need to take on more and more,
as if that will provide us some ultimate happiness.
To be able to take the time to enjoy and revel in what you’re working on and want to be spending time on now.
That is so necessary, and a balance that will prove a more relaxed and successful outcome,
rather than taking on too much, and not being able to enjoy any of it.
Something doesn’t have to last forever to be successful.
No one can tell you if an experience was worthy or not, except for you.
You are in charge.
You are doing so well.
And right now, your job is to Be.
Just Be.
There will be other 'Right Nows'.
You have time and space.
There is no rush,
no sprint.
Just Be.
Rest deservedly.
Rest comfortably.
Enjoy spending time with yourself,
because you’re pretty great!
I’m proud of you for being here, and for letting these thoughts pass through.
It’s time to let your face relax.
If you can, give yourself a good smile while you breathe in,
and then let your mouth, your jaw, your cheeks,
relax as you exhale.
Let your eyes be resting comfortably.
Notice and let go of any tension in your forehead.
Any tension in your neck.
Go down your neck to your shoulders, letting them sink.
Your back, loose.
Let yourself be supported by your bed, your chair, your couch, or your floor.
The world will hold you for a while.
You're safe.
Let your chest open with inhales,
and remain loose and free of tension when you exhale.
Your abdomen can let go.
Your hips,
your legs,
and your knees.
All the way down to your ankles and feet.
Your arms,
wrists,
hands,
and fingers.
Almost there.
Take a deep breath in,
and out.
You did it!
Perfect.
Thank you for joining me today.
Take all the time you need.
Whether you have already drifted off into a good night's sleep,
or simply unwinding at any time of the day,
I hope you are feeling a gentle, and very well deserved reset and rest.
I’ll see you next time.