How do I want to feel today?
If you practice yoga, something we do periodically in my yoga classes is write our desired feelings onto masking tape, which we stick onto our yoga mats. For 60 minutes, we constantly look at them and repeat them to ourselves. Mmm-mmm good!
A beautiful way to start the day (or any time you need to hit the restart button) is to ask yourself, “How do I want to feel today?” The first word that pops into your head is usually exactly what you need, but in case you are stumped, here are some examples:
Kids kept you up all night? Well rested.
Need some encouragement? Supported.
Have a deadline coming up? Efficient.
Feeling meh? Lit up.
Itchy throat? Healthy.
Need affection? Loved.
Other fun, feel good words: magical, sexy, graceful, creative, beautiful, abundant, rich, cozy, safe, joyful, strong, acknowledged, grateful…
A 5-Minute Meditation
Below you will find steps for a 5-minute meditation that helps cultivate your desired feeling. Also, this is a great way to bring meditation into your life if the traditional “sit and observe your breath” sounds boring and/or daunting. This guided meditation gives the brain something to think about.
Turn off any distractions.
Find a comfortable place to sit or lie down.
Set a 5-minute timer.
Take three slow, deep breaths and notice the sensation of air moving through the nostrils, down the throat, and into the belly.
Bring to mind your desired feeling.
Recall a time that you have felt this feeling before. Let this memory flood your system as if it were happening right now. Relish in all the details:
How old were you?
What year, month or season were you in?
Where were you? Recall as many details as you can about your surroundings, including what you could hear, smell, taste, touch…
Were you with anyone? If so, who? What were they doing, saying, wearing…
What were you doing? What exact activity/event brought you this good feeling?
If you want to take the idea of cultivating your desired feelings further, check out Danielle LaPorte’s The Desire Map. I LOVE this workbook!
If the mind starts to wander (which is normal and doesn’t mean you are “bad” at meditating!), bring it back to your memory.
By taking the time to “feel” that desired feeling now, you not only get to feel good NOW, you are sending that desire into the universe and declaring, “More, please!”
Happy Meditating!