A guided meditation for you.
This wasn't the plan for today, but here we are.
I’d vaguely landed on Flo Ziegfeld, the theatrical impresario of the 1920s, as today’s newsletter topic. But, last night, I had a bit of a transcendental experience. As I’ve waded deeper into meditation and sobriety from alcohol, these happen more and more often. They’re ephemeral moments that are usually ineffable. But this one was different; this one I can share. This one I think I may be able to help you experience for yourself.
I was in the shower when the song “Petit Piano” by Canadian composer Mathieu David Gagnon came up on my Spotify. I thought about how it was the perfect soundtrack for a movie montage. I started picturing the faces of the people I love, one at a time, breaking into huge smiles. A film reel of happy and peaceful moments I’ve experienced followed. As the music built and an orchestral movement started atop the melody and beat, the visons shifted to things that haven’t happened yet. New people, places, and feelings I dearly want to know and experience. By the time the song ended, I was crying, and I could feel my heart swelling with emotion and understanding.
Try this out for yourself, if you’d like.
Put on the song, and start to picture the faces of the people you love grinning big, happy grins, maybe even laughing in whatever way is authentic to them. Imagine taking the outstretched hands of a person who makes you feel safe. Allow moments to come to you in which you’ve felt safe and seen—where you’ve felt peace and contentment. They don’t need to be cinematic. If we’re lucky, we’ve seen sunrises and held new babies, but we’ve also shared just as beautiful cups of coffee and quiet moments. Maybe some of these didn’t happen with someone else—maybe they were moments of independence and inner peace. Just let them come to you. There will be a moment the music shifts—you’ll hear it. When that shift happens, direct your mind toward what you want to happen in the future. How you want to feel, where you want to be, who is there with you, if anyone. Let it all unfold lightly, without judgment or interference.
Tell me about what you see and how you feel, if you’d like.
Until next week, when we may actually talk about Flo Ziegfeld,
Elizabeth
This newsletter is just one facet of Zhuzh, my platform dedicated to conscious consumption and making space for delight. I offer secondhand-and-vintage-based wardrobe and interior styling services, art curation, and super chill life coaching. Keep up with me on Instagram and learn more at www.zhuzhlife.com.