Good morning.
It's Tuesday, October sixth.
How does your head feel right now?
Just check.
No need to change anything.
Maybe it's already busy.
Like a kitchen radio left on.
The dentist you need to A call.
song from yesterday, on You repeat.
never even liked that song.
Or maybe it's fairly quiet.
Either way is fine.
Sit so your back is supported.
Rest your hands on your thighs.
For six minutes...
we'll turn that radio down a little.
We'll count the breath.
Only the out-breaths.
From one up Breathe to ten.
in through your nose...
And as you breathe out...
count one.
Breathe in...
Out...
two.
In...
Out...
three.
Keep going on your own.
Four...
five...
at your own pace.
If you lose count, that's normal.
Most people do around six.
Just start again at one.
No penalty.
One is always there waiting.
Losing count and coming back...
that part is the practice.
When you get to ten...
or whenever you're ready...
let the counting go.
Now picture the sky.
But it's crowded.
Packed with clouds.
Each cloud is a thought.
That reply you still owe someone.
The grocery list you keep rewriting.
Eggs, again.
You always forget the eggs.
And that comment your coworker made.
You're still turning it over.
Some clouds are big and gray.
Some are just little wisps.
You don't have to push them.
Clouds don't like being pushed anyway.
Just let the wind do its work.
Hear it moving through the trees.
One cloud starts to drift.
Slowly.
Off toward the edge of the sky.
Behind it...
a patch of blue.
Another cloud thins out...
and turns to mist.
More blue.
A new cloud might roll in.
That's fine.
Watch it too.
It gets its turn to drift.
Little by little...
the sky opening is up.
Wide.
Clean.
Very, very blue.
Notice the blue was never gone.
It was there behind the clouds.
The whole time.
Try these words.
See if they fit.
My mind can be clear.
I can take one thing at time.
a
Now just rest in the open sky.
You don't have to sort anything.
Notice how much room there is.
More than you thought.
A clear mind isn't an empty one.
It just has space to move around.
Breathe in the cool air.
Breathe out slowly.
If a cloud floats in...
let it pass.
The sky can hold it.
Stay here a few more breaths.
Wide open.
Let the sky fade.
Keep a little of that blue with you.
Feel the seat under you.
Lift your shoulders up high.
Then drop them.
Take one clear breath in...
And out.
Before you pick up your phone...
grab a pen.
Any scrap of paper works.
A napkin.
of The corner a notebook.
Write down one thing.
The most important thing for today.
Not the whole list.
Just the one that matters most.
If you're not sure which one...
ask yourself a simple question.
What would make today feel done?
That's usually the answer.
Put it where you'll see it.
Then the phone can wait its turn.
Open your eyes.
Have a clear Tuesday.