This relaxing loving kindness meditation led by Julie Potiker will help you breathe in kindness for yourself and others. She completes the meditation with her poem, "Finery".

Finery, by Julie PotikerIn the late 1940s, and early 1950s, as a teenager, he was impeccably dressedFrom stories of elegant supper clubsI imagineErmine and pearlsCuff links winking in the candlelightGrandma Esther made her own patterns out of bed sheetsCut and tailored like a proSkill tucked into her skirts as she journeyed across the Atlantic Oceanbetween the Great War, and WWIINo wonder her American born son who looked so fine became known as finery.For 67 years, he and my mom took care in their wardrobe, in their appearance.Even after she became ill, her body shrinkingSmaller and smaller sized clothes were brought in, some from my closetI held back some of his shirts when he passed awayKnowing I would want to wear themTo feel the soft cotton on my chestTo sport them as tunicsCuffs rolled up on my forearmsI shipped a stack in blues and yellows, ocean and sunset colorsto a textile artist who quilted them into a glorious throw blanketeach square a sweet memoryYesterday I got so many compliments on his shirtEach comment a giftAs he came alive in my replyI slid a pair of my mom’s post earrings through my earlobesJust in case she’d notice and feel slightedJust in caseJust in case she feels how light and uncomplicated my longing for my Dad.I don’t know what her indomitable spirit might see, or feel, or know, or understand.

Find out more about using mindfulness in everyday life through Julie's books, "SNAP: From Calm to Chaos", and "Life Falls Apart, But You Don't have To: Mindful Methods for Staying Calm in the Midst of Chaos". Both are available on Amazon.com.Follow Julie on YouTube and Facebook at Mindful Methods for Life.comThis podcast is available on iTunes, iHeart, Blubrry and everywhere you listen to podcasts.