May 2025 WATERritual May 27, 2025 at 7:30 pm ET
“Breathe, Slow Down, Cherish Life”
The YouTube video can be found here.
Preparation: Open a window. Sit without distractions. Wear comfortable clothes.
Welcome
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. It is a time to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and promote well-being of individuals and communities. When daily life is hard and unpredictable, it’s important to hold onto faith, recognize beauty, and cherish relationships. Let us take time to pause, be mindful, and acknowledge well-being within us and around us.
Every challenge we have ever faced has helped shape us into who we are today. When we embrace and share our experiences, we empower others to do the same. Together, we can create a movement of courage, healing, and inspiration. Together, we can help one another “Breathe, Slow Down, and Cherish.”
Instrumental Piano Music: “Time” by Hans Zimmer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mevt1Fzlu8c&ab_channel=Gamazda
Breathing Meditation
Take a deep breath. Breathe in, breathe out. Get as comfortable as you can.
You can do this standing, or sitting in a chair that supports your back, or lying down on a mat or bed—whatever feels best for you.
If you’re sitting or standing, place both feet flat on the floor.
If you’re lying down, let your arms rest slightly away from your sides, palms facing up or down. Your legs can be straight, or you can bend your knees so your feet rest flat on the floor.
If it’s comfortable, loosen any clothing that feels restrictive around your waist or chest.
Now, gently rest your hands on your thighs, your chair, or by your sides. Let your shoulders relax and drop down from your ears.
If you feel okay doing so, gently close your eyes or soften your gaze toward the floor.
Simply notice your breath, observe your breath and body. Feel the air moving in and out, wherever you notice it most—maybe at your nose, your chest, or your belly.
Now, begin to deepen your breath, gently.
Take a slow breath in through your nose…
1… 2… 3… 4… 5…
And a slow breath out through your mouth…
1… 2… 3… 4… 5…
And again —
Breathing in through your nose…
1… 2… 3… 4… 5…
And breathing out through your mouth…
1… 2… 3… 4… 5…
Let the breath flow smoothly and naturally.
Don’t force anything—just let your body breathe.
Let’s take one more deep breath together:
Inhale… 1… 2… 3… 4… 5…
Exhale… 1… 2… 3… 4… 5…
Now return to your natural breath.
Take a moment to notice how your body feels.
When you’re ready, gently open your eyes, bring your attention back to the room. Let this breathing meditation that we’ve done together remind us that we’re all one.
Sources: https://www.mindfulnesscontent.com/blog/guided-meditation-script-for-group
https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/self-help/guides-tools-and-activities/breathing-exercises-for-stress/
Song: “By Breath” by Sara Thomsen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HgOJiJRKMM&ab_channel=SaraThomsen
By breath, by blood, by body, by spirit, we are all one
The air that is my breath is the air that you are breathing
And the air that is your breath is the air that I am breathing
The wind rising in my breast is the wind from the east, from the west
From the north, from the south, breathing in, breathing out
By breath, by blood, by body, by spirit, we are all one
The water that is my blood, my sweat, tears from crying
Is the water that is your blood, your sweat, tears from crying
And the rising of the tide is in our veins and in the ocean wide
We are in the rising steam, rushing river, running stream
By breath, by blood, by body, by spirit, we are all one
The earth is dust, the earth is clay, flow’rs blossoming and fading
We are dust and we are clay, we are blossoming and fading
Every color, every sound, every place is holy ground
Oh, every living thing, can you hear it laugh? Can you hear it sing?
By breath, by blood, by body, by spirit, we are all one
The fire in my heart, my soul flame burning
Is the fire in your heart, your soul flame burning
We are Spirit burning bright, by the light of day, in the dark of night
We are shining like the sun, and like the moon, like the Holy One
By breath, by blood, by body, by spirit, we are all one
Poem: “Each Moment Is Precious” by Pat A. Fleming
https://steemit.com/esteem/@zpzn/each-moment-is-precious
Live in the moment,
Just take it all in.
Pay attention to everything,
Right there and right then.
Don’t let your mind wander
To what’s coming next.
Cherish this moment
And give it your best.
Don’t let tomorrow
Make you rush through today,
Or too many great moments
Will just go to waste.
And the person you’re with,
In that moment you share,
Give them all of your focus.
Be totally there.
Laugh till it hurts,
Let the tears drop.
Fill up each moment
With all that you’ve got.
Don’t miss the details;
The lesson is there.
Don’t get complacent;
Stay sharp and aware.
It can take but a moment
To change your life’s path.
And once it ticks by,
There is no going back.
In just 60 seconds,
You may make a new friend.
Find your true love,
Or see a life start or end.
You become who you are
In those moments, you live.
And the growth’s not in taking
But in how much you give.
Life is just moments,
So precious and few.
Whether valued or squandered,
It’s all up to you!
Reflection/Group Sharing:
Each moment is precious. Think about the good that you have done since the beginning of the year.
+ What are the positive developments that you have noticed in your life recently?
+ How can we slow down and acknowledge the good within us?
+ What do you cherish in your routine and in life?
Cherish what gives us hope:
Let us cherish and say thanks to those who give us hope and strength, and help us see and appreciate the positive things in life.
Thank you to the women who give us community, reminding us that we never have to struggle alone.
Response: Praise the women who share community with us.
Thank you to the people who understand us without us having to say a word.
Response: Praise the people who understand us.
Thank you to the younger generation who is fearlessly leading us in the fight for equal justice and social change, and the older generation passing on their knowledge and collectively paving the way for future generations.
Response: Praise the younger and older generations for creating a better future.
Take Action
- Write down five things that you are grateful for at the end of each day.
- Spend time in nature.
- Organize a group walk, coffee chat, or virtual meet-up.
- Every night, jot down three things that went well during the day—even small wins.
- Designate one space in your home for mindfulness, prayer, or quiet reading. Add a candle, journal, or plant.
- Don’t hold onto heavy burdens; talk to friends, family, or health care professionals.
- Practice mindful breathing.
- Take time for sleep and rest.
Sending Forth
Let us send each other forth by breathing together to release the negative energy that manifests around us and in our bodies and minds.
Breathe in the beauty of the Earth ……. Breathe out weariness.
Breathe in bravery ……. Breathe out fear.
Breathe in living in the moment ……. Breathe out rushing through life.
Breathe in gratitude ……. Breathe out any burdens you have.
Breathe in joy ……. Breathe out anxiety.
Breathe in compassion and mercy ……. Breathe out indifference.
Breathe in love ……. Breathe out conflict.
Song: “For the Beauty of the Earth” by F.S. Pierpont –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pO7MIiICG0&ab_channel=TheTabernacleChoiratTempleSquare
For the beauty of the Earth, for the glory of the skies,
For the love which from our birth over and around us lies,
Source of All to you we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.
For the beauty of each hour of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale and tree and flower, sun and moon and stars of light,
Source of All to you we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.
For the joy of human love, brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth, and friends above, for all gentle thoughts and mild,
Source of All to you we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.
© 2025 Diann L. Neu, dneu@hers.com, with Magdalena Müller and Wed Naji