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Stories of virtue and love 
awaken our better half. 

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They touch that part of us that 
wants to be better. 

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These stories give us a vision 
of who and what we can become. 

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As we meditate on the presence 
of God, think about the 

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character and nature of Jesus. 
He is our model. 

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We become our better selves when
we love as He loves. 

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Remind yourself of that as you 
settle into this meditation. 

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OK, let's go ahead and get 
started by getting comfortable 

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in your chair. 
And when you're ready, take a 

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few nice deep breaths and allow 
your eyes to slowly close. 

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As your body begins to settle, 
take a moment to consider this 

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verse. 
I am the vine and you are the 

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branches. 
If you stay joined to me and I 

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to you, you will produce plenty 
of fruit. 

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And again, I am the vine and you
are the branches. 

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If you stay joined to me and I 
to you, you will produce plenty 

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of fruit. 
When it feels comfortable, go 

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ahead and take a few deep 
breaths in nice and easy. 

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Let the breath settle and become
natural and bring your attention

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to the space in the room, not 
thinking too hard about it, just

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becoming aware of your body and 
your surroundings. 

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Notice the air on the skin, feel
the chair beneath you. 

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Pay attention to the position of
your body. 

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Make sure that you're 
comfortable. 

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Notice the state of your mind. 
Does the mind feel calm? 

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Does it feel restless? 
Both are OK, just a simple easy 

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noticing. 
Just noticing the space, almost 

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like you're an observer. 
Notice the gentle sound of your 

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breath coming in and going out, 
deepening the inhales and 

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extending the exhales, letting 
the body rest. 

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Just relax. 
Let's begin to take note of how 

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the body is feeling. 
Not really thinking too much 

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about it, just letting go of 
those feelings of tightness and 

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tension. 
When it feels comfortable, take 

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a few deep breaths 
in through the nose and out 

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through the mouth. 
Deep breath in, expanding the 

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body and filling the chest up 
and exhale, feeling the chest 

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fall and let go. 
Take another big deep breath in 

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and control the exhale, letting 
it take twice as long as the 

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inhale. 
With each breath, allow the 

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tension to melt away from the 
body. 

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Now allow your breath to take up
a natural rhythm. 

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Let the gentle sound of your 
breathing relax your mind. 

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There is no way to do this 
wrong, just an easy effortless 

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awareness letting go. 
Take this verse with you. 

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I am the vine and you are the 
branches. 

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If you stay joined to me and I 
to you, you will produce plenty 

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of fruit. 
Gently bring your awareness back

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to the body and when you feel 
ready, slowly open your eyes and

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take a nice deep breath. 
Sit back and relax for a moment.

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How do you feel? 
I hope you feel a little better.

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We'll see you next time with 
hope, mindfulness, and prayer.