Take another deep breath and firmly focus on your feet. For a moment think of decisions you have had to make in the past, or perhaps have to make at the moment. Consider how you make your decisions. (pause 2 sec) Think of all the various people in your life. Have they influenced your decisions in the past? What influences you the most? Why? (pause 5 sec) Most people have more than one inf luential person in their life. Who are these people in your life? Are they your friends, your siblings or your parents? (pause 2 sec) Consider for a moment the kinds of decisions they are affecting. (pause 3 sec) What decisions do you make for yourself? Start with simple ones. Your decisions start in the morning, deciding how to dress, what to eat and at what time to leave for school. Think of those for a moment. (pause 4 sec) Then think of others. You have decided what hobbies to pursue, which books to read and whom to make friends with. Ref lect on this for a moment. (pause 3 sec) Now think further. Are you inf luenced by what you read? Or perhaps by what you hear? Think of any music that might inf luence you; there might be messages there that you are receiving without even noticing. (pause 5 sec) Are you influenced by your peers? Are you influenced by fashion? Do you care about trends? (pause 3 sec) For a moment consider what would you think if no one or nothing influenced you? What would you do? (pause 5 sec) What would you really like? (pause 2 sec) How would you spend your time? (pause 2 sec) What would you wear? (pause 2 sec) Ask yourself this question: Who is your most independent, original, free self? (pause 4 sec) Consider how can this ‘original self’ be more influential in your daily life. (pause 5 sec) Are there situations where you feel this is not possible? Why? Are there ways around this situation to be more true to yourself? (pause 3 sec) Keep this thought. Gently focus on your feet again. Remember you are sitting on the log. In your mind stand up and walk back to the forest. Focus on your bare feet on the forest floor, feel the cool bed of leaves touching your toes and your heels. (pause 3 sec) Now slowly bring your awareness to this room. Feel your feet on the ground. Feel your roots deep in the ground. As you keep focus on your feet, bring your awareness to this room now fully. Become aware of the chair under your body. Listen for the sounds around you. Bring your mind back to your feet. Where are they? Can you feel them? Gently wiggle your toes. Feel the full sensation of the floor beneath your feet. Slightly press them on the floor. Wiggle your fingers and rub your palms. Move your shoulders. Take a deep breath. When you are ready slowly open your eyes, first looking down then up and up until you are looking straight ahead. Do this in your own time. When your eyes are open give yourself a good stretch if at all possible in silence to give others space to do the same in their own time.
