Good morning.
It's Tuesday, November twenty-fourth.
Let's start by softening.
Begin with your face.
Let your brow go smooth.
Unclench your jaw.
Let your lips part a little.
Now your shoulders.
Let them slide down your Like back.
they're sinking into warm water.
And your hands.
Open them.
Let the fingers curl however they Most want.
of us hold a fist all Not day.
a real Just one.
a small tightness we forget about.
For the next six minutes...
let's let it go.
Let your breath move like water.
No edges.
No sharp starts or stops.
Breathe in slowly...
and let it flow straight into the out-breath.
Let it pour out smooth.
Like water over a rock.
In again...
rounded at the top.
And out...
curving gently into the next breath.
One more.
In...
And out...
That's it.
No bumps.
Just flow.
Picture a shallow stream.
Clear water over brown stones.
In the middle, there's a big rock.
The water doesn't fight It it.
just bends around it.
And keeps going.
That's grace.
Moving around the hard things.
Without getting stuck on them.
Now think of someone who's frustrated you.
Recently.
Not the worst thing ever.
Maybe the driver who cut you off.
Or a coworker who took Or credit.
someone at home.
Who said the wrong At thing.
exactly the wrong time.
Picture them standing in the stream.
Like that big Notice rock.
what your body Maybe does.
your jaw tightens That's again.
okay.
Now they're remember...
probably having a hard week Maybe too.
they didn't Maybe sleep.
they're scared about something.
Something you'll never hear about.
You don't have to call it fine.
Grace isn't that.
Grace is just letting the water Instead move.
of pounding on Quietly, the rock.
say to them...
I'll let this go.
Let the stream carry the anger Just off.
a little way downstream.
It doesn't have to go Now far.
turn toward Picture yourself.
you, standing in the water.
The you who snapped last week.
Over something small.
The you who forgot to call back.
And felt bad about it for days.
Give yourself the same grace.
Say quietly...
I'll let this go, too.
The holidays can make everyone a bit sharp.
Long lines.
Short tempers.
A little grace goes far this week.
For them.
And for you.
Two lines to carry downstream.
I can soften my edges.
People are doing the best they can today.
Rest beside the stream now.
Listen to it moving.
Around the rocks.
Over the stones.
It never stops to argue.
It just keeps finding a way.
Let yourself feel that ease.
In your hands.
In your face.
Slowly come back to your room.
Keep your hands soft.
Roll your neck in a slow circle.
Then the other way.
One smooth breath in...
And out.
Here's your one thing for today.
Someone will probably frustrate you.
It's that kind of week.
When it happens...
take one breath before you answer.
On that breath, picture the stream.
Going around the rock.
Then give them a little grace.
Open your eyes when you're ready.
Let the day flow around you.