Mindfulness Paired with Music Series: Day 5

Sometimes we feel alone. That's the perfect time for doubt, and imposter syndrome, to enter our thoughts, which only makes us feel more alone.

Know that you are never truly alone. Today's theme is #community because you have an entire community that believes in you.

First time here? On Day 1, we talked about how to make the most of these mindfulness and music pairings. Check it out if you missed Day 1 and then start experimenting.

The Song: #34 by Dave Matthews Band

#34 doesn't normally have lyrics. But, if you've ever been lucky enough, you might have heard them at a live concert.

Lean upon me I'll lean upon you We'll be ok -Dave Matthews Band

The Practice: I'll Lean Upon You

Listen to I'll Lean Upon You here.

See the transcript below if you'd like to do it on your own.

Start by finding a comfortable position and gently close your eyes... finding the breath that's right for you. Not too fast. Not too slow. Just the right tempo. You'll know when you've found the breath that's right for you when you feel a sense of relief, or release, in the body.

Bring to mind, or imagine, your perfect room. It's your safe space. It feels cozy. Warm. Open, yet embracing. It reflects what you love. Create and observe this room. What do you see? What do you smell? What do you hear? What do you feel?

Now it's time to invite someone to your room. Bring to mind someone who believes in you. Who supports you. Who has seen you grow as a human. It could be a friend, family member, coworker, teacher, or mentor.

They're sitting directly in from of you. Smiling. You can see that they believe in you by the way that they look at you. You can feel the light within. You are strong. You are capable. You are enough. You have someone to lean upon.

They take your hand and hold it gently. You can feel how much they really believe in you. Their energy, their belief in you, emanates through you.

As you look deeply into their gaze, the wall behind them opens up. You see another room and there, stands more people in your life that believe in you. Close friends, family, coworkers, mentors, classmates... Picture all of them. With the same gaze. The same warmth. Each one of them showing you how much they believe in you.

You feel the light within. You are strong. You are capable. You are enough. You have others to lean upon.

Another room appears as the wall behind them opens up. There, you see even more people in your life that believe in you. They are people you may have never met. But they have inspired you. They have helped influence who you've become today. Picture all of them. Row after row of people with the same gaze. The same warmth. Each one of them showing you how much they believe in you.

You are the light within. You are strong. You are capable. You are enough. You have an entire community to lean upon.

You are never alone. They are always here in this room of yours. They believe in you.

Now, slowly allow this room to fade away and return to the breath... return to the space you're in. Noticing the weight of your body resting. The smells. The sounds. And when you're ready, gently open your eyes.