Good morning.
It's Saturday, October seventeenth.
Before you get up...
let's say hello to your body.
It's resting.
But it's awake, too.
Somewhere in between.
Notice where it touches the bed.
Or the chair.
Your heels.
Your shoulder blades.
This body got you through the whole week.
Every single day of it.
We don't often stop to say thanks.
Mostly we just ask it for more.
So this morning...
six minutes of thank you.
Rest one hand on your belly.
The other on your ribs.
Breathe in low first.
Feel your belly rise under your hand.
Keep going...
let your ribs widen next.
And now let it all go.
Slowly.
Ribs, then belly.
Again.
Belly first...
Then the ribs...
And a long, slow release.
That's your body breathing for you.
It's done it all night.
You didn't have to remind it once.
Let's start at the bottom.
Your feet.
Think of where they took you this week.
Across parking lots.
Up and down the same hallway.
They stood in line at the pharmacy.
They didn't complain.
Well, maybe a little.
Say it inside.
Thank you, feet.
Now your legs.
Every staircase.
Every time you stood up from the couch.
Thank you, legs.
Your back.
It held you up in the car.
It bent to pick up what you dropped.
Maybe it's sore this morning.
Thank it It's anyway.
been working Now hard.
your hands.
Hold them up in your mind.
Think of everything they touched.
Keyboards and door handles.
A warm pan.
Someone's shoulder.
They typed about a hundred texts.
They made dinner when you were tired.
They carried the groceries in.
They held a hand, maybe.
Thank you, hands.
Your chest.
Your heart, beating the whole time.
Even while you slept.
Thank you for keeping the beat.
And your eyes.
They read every screen.
They watched the leaves start turning.
Let them soften now.
Thank you, eyes.
Last, your face.
The one you check in the mirror.
And sometimes judge a little too hard.
It smiled at people this week.
It showed up.
Thank you.
Try these softly.
Only if they feel right.
My body does so much for me.
I can treat it like a friend.
Just rest in this body now.
The one you just thanked.
Notice how it feels.
Maybe a little softer.
A little more at home.
Like being greeted at the door...
by someone glad to see you.
Nobody is asking it to change right now.
It can just be.
Let it feel appreciated.
For once, it doesn't have to do anything.
If a harsh thought pops up...
about your stomach, or your knees...
let it pass by.
Today is for thank you.
Not for fixing.
Let the birds come a little closer.
Feel the morning light in the room.
Point and flex your feet.
Stretch your arms up and out.
One deep breath in...
And out.
Now give your body one good thing today.
Something small it would like.
A big glass of water.
A slow stretch on the floor.
A walk in the cool air.
Pick one.
Then actually do it.
Like a thank-you gift.
Open your eyes when you're ready.
Enjoy your Saturday.