Hi, and welcome to your Daily Mindfulness and welcome to a new year. Today, we're going to ring in the new year with a contemplation on who loved you into being. To explain what I mean by that I have to tell you a story. It's a story about Mr. Rogers.

So, if you haven't heard of him, Fred Rogers was a television host and a children's advocate. He was also a Presbyterian minister and a deeply spiritual and humble man, a very unassuming man. In 1997, Rogers accepted an Emmy for lifetime achievement. Now this very plainly dressed man took the stage for his acceptance speech in front of a whole of movie stars, celebrities and models. All of whom were very glamorously dressed up.

He stood up there and gently looked out at the crowd and said, "I'm so grateful for everyone who loved me into being who I am today. All of us have special ones who've loved us into being," he said, "Would you just take along with me ten seconds to think about all the people who've helped you become who you are. Ten seconds of silence." Then he lifted his wrist, looked at the audience. "Don't worry. I'll keep time." Now at first there were a few giggles in the audience as people kind of realized he wasn't kidding.

And then people actually paused to contemplate this, all the loved ones who had supported them and encouraged them along their journey. And you could really feel this palpable shift of energy in the room. Some people began to smile. Others started to cry. And, you know, I think what this shows me, what this reminds me is that we often overlook all the love we've received.

But today I'm going to extend Mr. Rogers' invitation to us all. And I'm going to just invite you now to take a few moments, eyes closed or eyes open, to contemplate all the people who have loved you into being, all the people who've cared about you and wanted what was best for you in your life. And we've all had darker days in our lives. And in those moments, if we're one of the fortunate ones, we had someone who showed up to support us in some way, offer us a lifeline.

Maybe they gave us a shoulder to cry on, a hug, a kind word. Maybe they just sat with us, cried with us, or just listened. And think of the times when our loved ones celebrated us, birthdays, moments of success. The times when people encouraged us to go for our dreams, supported us or uplifted our confidence with compliments. And think of the teachers, the trainers, the coaches, the guardians, the parents, brothers, sisters, partners, and friends who all helped us become who we are today.

Thinking about how they inspired us, offered us kindness, walked beside us through the ups and downs of life. No, they weren't perfect. They probably made all kinds of mistakes along the way. But just taking a moment here to honor the contribution they made to your life and allow that memory to fill you with love and gratitude. Just allowing yourself to feel how loved you have been.

And feeling gratitude for all of those who've stood by you. Sometimes there may have even been moments of kindness and support from total strangers in your life. And now just taking some moments here to really tune into that sense of gratitude for anyone else who supported you in your life, past, present, or future to come. Colleagues, employers, mentors, even pets who've been by your side. Just taking these final moments.

And now relaxing your attention and just kind of noticing how it feels to tap into this sense of love and gratitude. And I would also like to take this moment to thank you for the love that you've shared with others. The kindness that you've given, the support you've given, the times when you felt like you had nothing left in the tank and then you gave a little bit more. And more than anything I'd like to thank you for your practice and for your efforts to become a more wise, compassionate, brave, and healthy person in the midst of a very challenging time in the world. So a deep bow to you.

And we all look forward to sharing the year ahead with you. So from everyone at Mindfulness.com, thank you for your practice. And let's settle in for today's meditation.