I was listening to A Quiet Life in 7 Steps, an Audible original series from the wonderful Susan Cain.
I loved Susan’s version of a "Loving-Kindness" meditation:
Start by taking a few deep breaths that fill your belly up like a balloon, and let them slowly out.
Take those breaths.
Keep breathing this way.
Think of someone who loves you or in the past loved you.
Think of the person loving you, smiling down at you, holding you.
Then say out loud or think:
May I be loved.
May I be happy.
May I be strong.
May I use my gifts to make the world better.
May I be free from suffering.
Now, say or think these thoughts to someone you love intensely. If no one comes to mind, you can direct it to someone you've never met or someone imaginary.
May you be loved.
May you be happy.
May you be strong.
May you use your gifts to make the world better.
May you be free from suffering.
Now imagine someone in your community or just someone out in the world, someone you know is struggling.
May you be loved.
May you be happy.
May you be strong.
May you use your gifts to make the world better.
May you be free from suffering.
Now, finally, send this message out to all the people in the world:
May you be loved.
May you be happy.
May you be strong.
May you use your gifts to make the world better.
May you be free from suffering.
It's hard not to feel good, even after reading that, right?
I get all warm and fuzzy. I've always been a big fan of the loving-kindness meditation as you ignite your own self-compassion and then feel like you are helping the world with your heartfelt wishes to the world.
But why did I like Susan's particular version so much?
Because she added a line I had not heard before in one of these mediations:
"May you use your gifts to make the world better."
Beautiful, isn't it?
This part is often overlooked.
But it's probably one of the most leveraged ways you can positively impact the world.
I invite you to reflect on these questions:
What are your unique gifts?
What do people compliment you on? Where do they say, "Wow, you are really good at that!"
Where do things come naturally, effortlessly and easily to you?
How can you start to share those gifts more with the world?