Lie back.
Arms down along your sides.
Close your eyes, if that's okay.
Now, slowly...
curl your hands into loose fists.
Not tight.
Just closed.
Like you're holding onto something small.
Notice what that's like.
Your fingers pressing into your palms.
A little tension up wrists.
your
That's what holding on feels like.
You've probably been doing it all day.
In your jaw.
In your belly.
Keep the fists for now.
We'll open them soon.
For the next six minutes...
we're going to let go.
One finger at a time.
What are you trying to hold together tonight?
Maybe it's how tomorrow will go.
Every step already planned.
Maybe it's someone you love.
And a choice they're making...
that you can't make for them.
Maybe it's a test result.
A decision at work.
Something still up in the air.
Or just the thermostat.
And whether everyone's okay.
Name yours quietly.
Just a word or two.
Now notice your fists.
They've been holding that, too.
Here's the honest part.
Some of this was never yours to hold.
Not tonight, anyway.
You can care about it.
And still set it down.
Lying awake won't steer it.
Replaying it won't either.
You've tried both.
I have too.
Tomorrow you can do what's yours to do.
Tonight, you rest.
Take a slow breath in.
And out...
long and unhurried.
Let's start with your right hand.
Breathe in.
And as you breathe out...
let your little finger uncurl.
Just that one.
Say quietly...
I can let this be.
Breathe in.
Breathe out...
and let the ring finger open.
I can let this be.
Now the middle finger.
The pointer.
Slowly...
on the next breath out.
And last, your thumb.
Let it fall away from the others.
Your right hand is open now.
Notice the air on your palm.
Maybe a little tingle.
Maybe warmth coming back into the fingers.
Just let it be there.
Now the left hand.
Same thing.
Only as fast as it wants to go.
Breathe in...
And out...
little finger, ring finger.
I can let this be.
In...
And out...
middle, pointer...
and thumb.
Both hands open.
Now turn them over.
Palms up, resting on the bed.
Open hands can't grip anything.
That's the point.
Let the openness travel up your arms.
Into your shoulders.
Into your jaw, that all held on day.
If your fingers start to curl again...
that's fine.
Just let them open on the next breath.
I can let this be.
Open hands.
And a mind that opens with them.
Whatever you it's named...
out of your hands tonight.
Literally.
The rain doesn't need steering.
It just falls.
Your palms are soft.
Your wrists are loose.
If the worry comes you'll back...
feel your fingers curl.
Let them open again.
It's Saturday night.
Sunday can start as slow as you like.
Breathing in...
And out, with nothing in your hands...
There's nothing to hold right now.
Let sleep come to your open hands.
You can let this be.
Goodnight.