Welcome to the Daily Meditation Podcast. I'm Mary McLean. I welcome you as we celebrate

the final week of the year and in today's episode, we continue with the theme we're exploring

this week, infusing the final week of your year with joy. And in doing so, I invite you

to begin to put closure now on your year. You can do this by beginning to reflect back

over the year, recalling different highlights that gave you joy and also to reflect on those

times this year where you noticed your energy plummet, maybe something happened and it caused

you a lot of fear or worry. Maybe you dealt with a lot of anxiety, simply reflect with no shame,

no blame, simply awareness as to what helps you to feel joy and what seems to pull you away from

the joy you experience in your life. I also encourage you to do one more thing as we go throughout

this week's series. I encourage you to begin to reflect on a word for the new year. So think

about a word that you want to represent your new year. So you may do New Year's resolutions or

maybe you don't. Consider what makes you happy, what would bring more joy into your life and also

consider what you'd like to release as you begin a brand new year. So with that, I invite you

to settle yourself down and begin to meditate. I'll be guiding you through an affirmation.

An affirmation is a positive statement you repeat that helps you to focus your thoughts. As

you repeat the affirmation, focus your full intention on the words and what they mean to you.

Affirmations are powerful. They help you to align your thoughts with your desires. Your affirmation

is I awaken my inner joy. So as you sit up straight and close your eyes, begin to feel your body relax.

Notice where you hold any tension or tightness in your body and gently release it.

Inhale and exhale through your nose gently.

Bring to mind what brings you joy.

Focus on what up lifts you.

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