While on this journey of life, we're often gifted with experiences that allow us to become more of ourselves.

Should we become aware of not just the experience itself, but of what became of the experience.

You know, how we're feeling inside, we can then make room for who we truly are.

Unfortunately, we sometimes get caught up in the plague of self-consciousness, sadly mistaken for self-awareness.

My love, please know that these are not the same.

Self-consciousness, it tightens the chest clouds the mental

and watches from the outside in begging pleading pleading do they like me?

Am I enough?

Or am I too much?

It pulls you out of presence and into performance in hopes of managing perception.

The self-awareness, she's gentle.

She's soft.

She sits beside you, not above you.

She whispers, my love, how do you really feel?

How's your heart?

What do you really need in this moment?

You see, self-awareness is not rooted in judgment.

She's rooted in listening, holding your hand, holding space, going inward in order to expand.

She ever so graciously helps you come home.

As we ease into today's practice,

take a deep breath through your nose.

And exhale.

...