Welcome to episode 2819 of the Daily Meditation Podcast.

I'm Mary Mechley, and I welcome you to Day 6 of this series.

We're exploring this week.

This week, the theme is new beginnings, as you launch into a brand new year.

And throughout this series, you've had a special challenge.

You've been on a quest to daily honor yourself.

I find that the best times to honor myself have been in the morning as I start my day and in the evening as I end my day.

And I like to include the affirmation as I think of one way to honor myself.

It can be as simple as refocusing my thoughts if I notice they're distracted or focusing on something that's not so supportive.

Also, I might honor myself by looking at the window or stepping outside for a few moments or going for a walk or reading a positive uplifting quote.

So I hope you have been honoring yourself in different ways that help to keep you on track with your goals as you launch into a brand new year.

And this has been a busy week.

You also selected a word to represent your year.

So I invite you to begin to reflect on that word and notice if you are aligned to it.

You may find that you decide to change your word of the year or you come across a word that better represents what you're striving for.

It's all good.

So I invite you to settle yourself down and get ready to meditate.

As you sit up straight and close your eyes, gently elevate your eyes ever so slightly upwards and begin to tune into your breath.

Notice the rhythm and flow of your life force energy.

Try to breathe a little more deeply into your abdominal area and feel it gently rise upward with each inhale.

With each exhale, release your breath.

With your next breath, inhale to the count that feels right for you, maybe to the count of five.

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