Finding Stillness In The Space Between Winter And Spring

When the world can’t decide between frost and thaw, our bodies often feel the same push and pull. We step into that tender in-between and offer a space to breathe without forcing, to notice without fixing, and to trust the quiet work happening under the surface.

Transcript

Welcome And Intention Setting

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Hello, and welcome to Breathe and Be. I'm Mirianne, and I'm so glad you're here today. This is a space where all thoughts and feelings are welcome. There is nothing you need to fix, nothing you need to force, just a place to pause, to breathe, and to be. Today we're exploring the space between winter and spring, that quiet in-between season where things are still and slow, but change is beginning underneath the surface. Whenever you're ready, allow yourself to settle into a position that feels supportive of your body. Watch your hands rest somewhere easy and natural. And when you feel ready, gently close your eyes or soften your gaze. We'll begin with a short breathing exercise. Wave breath moving slowly and naturally, like the rise and fall of a wave. Bring one hand to your chest and one hand to your belly if that feels okay. As you breathe in, imagine your breath moving in a wave. First filling your belly, then your ribs, and finally your chest.

SPEAKER_01 1:55

Let's try that together.

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Slowly breathe in. Belly, ribs, chest. And now exhale gently. Chest, ribs, belly. Again, breathing in like a rising wave. And out like a tide returning to shore. There is no need to make this perfect. If your breath feels uneven or small, that's completely okay. Why don't you just let your breath match your energy today? With each inhale, imagine inviting in a little more space. And with each exhale, imagine softening anything that feels held too tight. One more slow wave breath in.

SPEAKER_01 3:15

And a long, easy breath out.

Full Body Scan

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Allow your breathing to return to its natural rhythm. Now let's bring your attention to your body. I'd like you to turn your focus to the top of your head. Notice any tension, tightness, or numbness. There's no need to change anything.

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We're just noticing right now.

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Let your awareness move slowly down your face, your jaw, softening your tongue and the muscles around your mouth. Let your shoulders drop, even just a fraction. Feel them become heavy, your body supported. Bring your attention to your chest.

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Notice the gentle rise and fall with each breath.

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Now your belly, your hips, your legs all the way down through your feet to the tips of your toes. Relaxing.

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Feeling heavier.

Entering The In-Between Landscape

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See if you can let that be okay by showing yourself grace in this moment. Now imagine yourself standing outside in a quiet landscape. It's not quite winter, not quite spring. There still may be patches of snow on the ground, resting in the shaded places where the sun has not yet reached. Some of it looks soft and clean. And some has begun to melt, revealing dark, damp earth underneath. The air is cool, but not bitter. When you breathe in, it feels fresh. Like your lungs are opening just a little more with each breath. The sky is soft and gray with patches of clouds between slivers of blue sky. Feel the ground beneath your feet. The earth is slightly soft from melting snow. There is a gentle give as you shift your weight.

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Steady and supportive at the same time.

Patience And Quiet Growth

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Perhaps you feel a coolness on your cheeks, the tip of your nose, or the backs of your hands. You're wearing a thick sweater, and you feel the weight of it resting on your shoulders. The warmth it offers, a quiet comfort. A soft breeze moves through the air. You feel it brush across your face, moving strands of your hair, touching your neck and the tips of your ears. If it feels right, imagine gently pressing your feet into the cool ground. Feeling your legs strong beneath you, your body held. The quiet of this landscape begins to move through you. The same patience, the same slow unfolding. Even though the trees around you are mostly bare, if you look closely, you can see small buds forming at the tips of the branches. Tiny, easy to miss, but full of quiet promise of the spring to come. And in this moment, your body is allowed to rest in this in-between place.

SPEAKER_01 9:46

Not forced into energy, not pushed towards change. Just here, breathing, waiting, and changing its own time.

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You don't have to feel motivated, cheerful, or energized. Like the earth, you are allowed to move slowly. You are allowed to rest while change happens underneath the surface. Maybe you imagine a small patch of earth in front of you. You kneel down and gently touch the soil. It is cold, but softer than the frozen ground it was a week ago. And you realize even when nothing looks different, change is always unfolding. And as you begin to stand, you notice something new. A single green seedling pushing through the soil.

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Small, fragile, but determined.

Seedling Symbol And Affirmations

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Let this be a reminder. You don't have to bloom all at once. Even small beginnings are enough. The flowers don't bloom all year. You shouldn't expect yourself to either.

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You can repeat this affirmation after me, or simply listen.

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I am allowed to move at my own pace. Change can be slow and still be real. Even now, something within me is growing. I think that's such an important message. Let's repeat that one more time. I am allowed to move at my own pace. Change can be slow and still be real.

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Even now, something within me is growing.

Returning To The Room And Reflection

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As our time comes to a close, I want you to begin to notice your breath again. The feeling of the air moving in and out. Bring awareness back to the room around you. The sounds, the temperature, the support beneath your body. Gently wiggle your fingers and your toes. Maybe roll your shoulders or stretch in a way that feels natural. And when you're ready, slowly open your eyes. As you move through the rest of your day, you might reflect on this question: What is one sign of growth or change in my life right now, even if it feels very small? Thank you for spending this time with me today. Until next time, breathe, be, and take good care.