Life is full of blessings. Every moment, even if painful and difficult, holds abundant gifts. When we’re stressed and overwhelmed, it’s easy and very natural to overlook them. Yet, intentionally noticing areas of richness in our lives -those that feed us physically, emotionally, or spiritually- can create profound shifts in how we feel and respond to the world. Anchoring ourselves in the awareness of abundance fosters gratitude and nurtures feelings of profound safety, connection, and generosity. None of this is to say that we should ignore difficult and painful elements in life. Rather, this is an invitation to equally identify your resources, those vast reserves of goodness, joy, safety, pleasure, and connection, that ground and nourish you.

We all learn differently, so feel free to read more about this week's practice below and/or enjoy this quick (one-minute!) video guide.

I hope you'll give yourself this one mindful minute, my friend. You deserve to be awake and at ease in your life. You deserve at least a few brief moments of your own time and tender attention.

When we tune into abundance, the nervous system naturally relaxes. Gratitude activates the parasympathetic nervous system, shifting us out of "fight-or-flight" and into a state of calm. This shift supports the health of the body, mind, and heart. Emotionally, we feel more open, resilient, and connected. Physically, our breath deepens, tension dissolves, and immunity and digestion improve. Behaviorally, we become more patient, thoughtful, and generous in our interactions.

In the following practice, explore how cultivating an abundance-based mindset can reset your nervous system and help you live with more ease, connection, and joy.

One Mindful Minute Practice: Moving Mantra Meditation—Abundance Awareness

This practice combines mantra, mudra, and movement to help you shift patterns of perception, thought, and behavior while cultivating feelings of abundance and gratitude.

• Hansi Mudra
  Hansi Mudra is a special hand position, sometimes called the "smile mudra," that symbolizes joy, contentment, and a sense of inner abundance. The gesture is made by bringing the thumb to touch lightly with the index, middle, and ring fingers, forming a circle (like a small smile), while the pinky gently extends outward. It reflects the lightness and ease of embracing the good in life. (see the video above for a demonstration)

• The Practice:

  1. Sit or stand comfortably. Form Hansi Mudra with both hands by gently connecting the tip of your thumb with the tips of the index, middle, and ring finger on each hand. Extend the pinky finger straight out. 
  2. Flow your hands in Hansi Mudra from the Root (lower abdomen) to the Heart (chest) as you say, “I am abundant.”
  3. Flow your hands from the Heart to the Third Eye (forehead) as you say, “I see the abundance all around me.”
  4. Flow your hands from the Third Eye to the Crown (top of the head) and open your hands outward and down as you say, “I joyfully share my abundance.”
  5. Repeat for one minute, moving slowly and breathing deeply. Notice the growing feelings of contentment within you.

Why This Works:

• Mantra (repeating a phrase) focuses the mind, calming restless thoughts. It also helps to interrupt and redirect unhelpful systems of thought and perception.
• Mudra (special hand position) engages the body-mind connection and focus, enhancing the meditation's potency.
• Movement reinforces neural patterns of gratitude and abundance while supporting nervous system regulation.

By connecting to abundance through this practice, we calm a frazzled nervous system and cultivate the spirit of openness and generosity. From this place of ease, we feel safer and more connected, allowing us to share our gifts with others and create ripples of positivity and interconnection.

I hope you can find one mindful minute to step into your abundance over the next week. May you find in every moment the richness of life unfolding before you, today and always.

In Gratitude,

Nichole

Upcoming Offerings

Silks + Sound + Reiki: Nervous System First Aid

A Journey to Deep Grounding and Inner Peace
Co-offered with Liv Kennedy of Zenning Studio in Kent