There’s something about scent; I like to inhale calming and fragrant surroundings. I’m probably the only person who puts a reed diffuser on my work desk in the office. And every morning, before I start to work, I turn the reed upside down, then I inhale the fragrant oil left on my hands. I thought it was a weird habit, but yesterday when I attended a writing class by Dani Shapiro in Coursera, she explained that she, too, has this ritual before she writes; she puts her crystals, puts her cards (each card has a great quote), and puts on some essential oil on her palm.

Then Dani Shapiro starts meditating, and I would like to share her meditation practice because it’s really, really good. It’s like we send a good wish to the universe, and we start from ourselves. First, we wish ourselves to be safe, May I be safe, May I be happy, May I be strong, and May I live well. Then we invite one of our favorite humans, and then we wish the same good wishes. And we continue with – this is the hardest part for me – an invitation for a difficult person in our life, and we wish them all the best wishes as well. And last, we wish all living beings good wishes.

I started today like this, and I guess I’ll start my day exactly the same way.

Karin Sabrina