A lovely exercise

My minister offered our congregation a beautiful exercise last week. He suggested that we imagine we are sitting across from a loved one- it could be one we are concerned about and even one we are in conflict with. He then suggested saying these words out loud to our loved one, sending each intention out as a prayer:

May you be happy.

May you be healthy.

May you find what you are looking for.

May you find peace and joy.

He went on to suggest that after we complete this part of the exercise, that we go to a mirror and while gazing at our own image, repeat the above phrases to ourselves. Of course, it doesn’t feel natural to look in the mirror and speak aloud to ourselves, so you may feel some resistance inside, but I really encourage you to try it anyway. As I said the phrases aloud to myself, I felt a lovely peace arise inside me. Of course, we try our best to be good to the others around us, so let’s take some time as the new year approaches to be kind and encouraging to ourselves as well!