Finding Hope (A Message for Spoonies Everywhere)

Bonus Podcasthon episode

Hello and Welcome to this special, bonus episode

This week's episode is a bonus podcasthon episode. If you are not familiar, Podcasthon is a global movement that encourages podcasters to unite and bring awareness to nonprofit organizations-by dedicating one episode of their show to a nonprofit of their choice. These episodes are then released in a coordinated effort during the week of podcasthon.

When I registered for podcasthon, I could not decide on just one nonprofit to highlight, but I did narrow it down to 2 organizations that hold special significance in my life. Naturally, I decided the only option was to create 2 episodes.

So this week's mini meditation is dedicated to a nonprofit that holds special meaning in my life, Awareness for POTSies. Many of you know that I have lived with POTS for years. Awareness for POTSies is an invaluable resource for those of us trying to figure out how to live with chronic illness. Life with chronic illness is hard, and can be isolating. Awareness for POTSies offers support, and is continuously working to provide practical resources to help you manage your own chronic illness, or support a loved one. Their goal is to provide the POTS and chronic illness community with support, empowerment and compassion, all while pouring as much love as possible into the chronic illness community. 

With that in mind, I decided to focus this short meditation on something we all need more of, hope.

Here are all the links and info you need to check out their website, and access their many resources:

Visit Awareness for POTSies and explore their easy to navigate website for a wealth of useful information : https://www.awarenessforpotsies.org/

Brighten Your Day by creating and submitting your own owl here:

https://www.awarenessforpotsies.org/owl-submissions

Support the cause here: https://www.awarenessforpotsies.org/donate

You can also connect with Awareness for POTSies on social media

https://www.instagram.com/awarenessforpotsies/

https://www.facebook.com/awarenessforPOTSies

For more information about Hannah Castillo and her meditation practice visit the website and blog at https://www.love-your-calm.com

If you would like to support this podcast, consider checking out the new merch while you're there! Also, be sure to sign up for the email list to stay informed of new offerings.

Connect on Instagram: https://instagram.com/love_your_calm

Have an idea for a topic that you would like to share? Reach out on Instagram, or feel free to send an email.

You can hear more of Hannah's meditations, as well as life coaching and mental health tracks on the Aura app.

Use this link to get 30 days free.

https://aurahealth.io/refer/aura-3lc04/guest-pass

Or use this link to join the Love Your Calm community, available on the Aura app. Get free daily uplifting affirmations and access to carefully crafted courses designed to help you build and maintain your self-care practice.

https://www.aurahealth.io/coaches/hannah-castillo/communities/love-your-calm?referralCode=aura-3lc04&referralType=coach_payout

Transcript

Hannah Castillo: Welcome to the Love Your Calm podcast. Mini meditations to help you slow down and find your balance in this fast-paced world.

Hello and welcome to this bonus episode.

If you listened earlier this week, then you know that Podcasthon is taking place.If you're not familiar, Podcasthon is a movement helping podcasters all across the world bring awareness to nonprofit organizations by releasing episodes in a coordinated effort.

I love this idea so much. So of course I registered right away. But when it came time to choose my nonprofit, I just couldn't decide. I narrowed it down to two and both are meaningful to me, so it seemed like the only reasonable choice was to represent them both.

So this week's bonus meditation is dedicated to another nonprofit organization particularly important to me, Awareness for Potsies. Many of you know that I have been living with POTS for years. Awareness for Potsies has been an invaluable resource for those of us trying to figure out how to live with chronic illness. They offer support and are continuously working to provide practical resources to help you manage your own chronic illness or support a loved one. Their goal is to provide the POTS and chronic illness community with support, empowerment and compassion, all while pouring as much love as possible into the chronic illness community.

With that in mind, I decided to focus this short meditation on something we all need more of, Hope.

Let's get started.

Begin by finding a comfortable position. Take a moment to take any movements you may need before settling into a position that feels good for you today. Let's take one intentional breath here together. Inhale fully, breathing in through your nose. Hold it for just a moment and exhale slowly, allowing your shoulders to fall away from your ears, beginning to let go of any tension in your body. If it feels comfortable for you, gently close your eyes or maybe soften your gaze.

As you settle into your breath, give it permission to find its own natural rhythm.

I invite you to bring your awareness to the concept of hope. Take a moment to reflect on what hope feels like in your body. Is it a lightness? A warmth? Or perhaps a sense of possibility? Take a moment to connect with this feeling and allow it to begin to grow within you.

As you breathe, consider visualizing hope as a seed planted in your heart. With each inhale, imagine this seed receiving nourishment and growing stronger. With each exhale, release any doubts or fears that may overshadow this hope.

Consider repeating this powerful affirmation to yourself.

I nurture my hope.

I nurture my hope.

Let this affirmation resonate within you, fostering a sense of resilience and strength.

As you continue to breathe, remind yourself that hope is always available,

even in difficult times. Acknowledge that it is natural to have moments of uncertainty, but you can choose to nourish hope in your heart.

Take one final round of breath here on your own, feeling the energy of hope filling you, grounding you.

And when you are ready, gently bring your awareness back to the present moment. Take any movements you need, maybe wiggle your fingers and toes, and slowly, in your own time, gently open your eyes. Consider taking this opportunity to repeat this affirmation one final time before returning to your day. I nurture my hope.

Thank you for joining me for this special bonus meditation. It means so much to me that you are here. If this is your first time listening, welcome. I hope you'll join me again next week. I release a new episode every Monday. And if you've been listening all along, thank you for spending a few minutes with me every week.

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend or even share it on your social media. And if you do, don't forget to tag me so I can say thanks. If, like me, you're living with chronic illness or even want to better support someone else living with chronic illness, I encourage you to visit the Awareness for Potsies website to check out all of the invaluable resources they provide.

And as always, thank you for helping me spread the word that including even a few minutes of meditation in your day really can make a difference.

Until next week....