A Flicker of Hope: Holding on When Times are Tough

I had another meditation prepared this week, but so many listeners reached out and asked for another meditation on hope. I get it. There is a lot going on in the world right now. I hope this short practice can offer some comfort and help you reclaim a flicker of hope.

For more information about Hannah Castillo and her meditation practice, visit the website and blog at https://www.love-your-calm.com

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Transcript

Hannah Castillo: Welcome to the Love Your Calm podcast. Mini meditations to help you slow down and find your balance in this fast-paced world.

 Hello and welcome.

I had a meditation prepared for this week, but so many people reached out and asked for another meditation about hope. I get it. There's a lot going on in the world right now and it's easy to feel hopeless.

So let's take a few minutes together to check in, reconnect and reclaim a flicker of hope 

Let's get started.

Find a comfortable position, whatever feels good for you today. Allow your body to settle in, taking any movements you may need, and gently close your eyes if that feels safe for you. If it feels better, you can lower your gaze.

Take a deep breath in through your nose, filling your lungs completely, feeling your stomach rise. Hold it for a moment and then exhale slowly through your mouth, beginning to let go of any tension or worries.

As you settle into your breath, let it flow naturally. There's no need to change anything, no need to adjust. Just take note as your breath finds its own steady pace. With each inhale, invite in a sense of lightness, and with each exhale, release any burdens or worries that may be weighing you down.

I invite you to begin to shift your awareness to any heaviness you may be feeling today. Acknowledge these feelings without judgment. It's okay to feel weighed down at times. Give yourself permission to simply be with these emotions, accepting them as a natural part of life, It is an understandable response to difficult times.

 As you recognize this heaviness, also bring to mind a sense of hope, acknowledging that both can exist at the same time, that you are capable of holding hope while still acknowledging those heavy emotions. Take a moment to reflect on the small moments of joy or gratitude that still exists in your life even amidst the challenges. Each of those represent hope. Hope can be a flicker of light in the darkest of times, reminding you that change is possible and that there is still light in the world.

With each breath, imagine nurturing this sense of hope. Inhale deeply, envisioning this hope filling your heart. And as you exhale, let go of the heaviness, creating space for that light to grow. Take one final round of breath here on your own, holding on to that flicker of hope, understanding that hope can coexist with heaviness.

And when you are ready, begin to bring yourself back to the space around you. Take any movements you may need and slowly, in your own time, open your eyes. Carry this sense of hope with you as you move through your day, using it to provide some light even in those challenging times.

Thank you for joining me this week for this short meditation. If you've been listening for a while, thank you. Your support means so much to me. If this is your first time listening, I hope you'll join me again next week.

In the meantime, maybe catch up on some of the previous episodes. Don't forget to hit, subscribe or follow wherever you're listening. And if you found this practice helpful, consider sharing it. That's the best way for this podcast to continue to grow.

And as always, thank you for helping me spread the word that including a few minutes of meditation in your day really can make a difference.

Until next week...