02/04/2023
I have an idea. Stop every now and then and acknowledge to yourself that you're doing a pretty damn good job of living your life.
No one really knows or could know what exactly that entails. No one knows entirely your journey, your past, your challenges, your struggles, your obstacles, your limitations, your circumstances, your wounds and scars. If you're like me, you don't go around broadcasting it to the world. Most people don't have a clue about what's involved in pulling off your life.
Doesn't matter. Celebrate how far you've come. Be proud that you're still standing and moving forward.
By the way, it's okay to have compassion on yourself, and be nice to yourself. Where is that written contract you signed before birth promising that you'd be perfect, never fail, and that your life would go absolutely the way you wanted it to? Has this ever happened for any human being? Today, look at your life as a compassionate observer. Acknowledge to yourself the victories, which could include just getting through the last hour.
I'm giving you permission for something today in case you need it.
I'm giving you permission to just be where you are and who you are right now. To simply be 'you,' however messy or messed up that might seem to you in this moment.
It's okay.
Whatever your unanswered questions, insecurities, frustrations with yourself, worries, fears, disappointments, wounds, brokenness, neuroses, things you don't like about yourself or fear, they are a part of you right now. Join the club. We all have them.
I give you permission to be okay with yourself... all of you... yes, even all of that... as you are today.
I give you permission to accept yourself, be patient with yourself, and have compassion on yourself. Permission to stop judging yourself, berating yourself, hating yourself and finding ways that you tell yourself you are flawed, deficient, inadequate and don't measure up.
You have permission to like yourself... and to love the 'you' that 'you' are right now.
Yes, I know... we all desire transformation. Yes, you want to be more whole and free. AND it's okay to be where and who you are today. It's okay to look at yourself with eyes of love and acceptance, not judgement and disapproval.
You are worthy and deserving of love, acceptance and belonging just the way you are. You are worthy and deserving of your own acceptance, compassion and love. There are no qualifications or conditions you must meet to qualify for or earn love, acceptance and belonging.
Rather than accusing yourself about how far you still have to go, what about acknowledging yourself for how far you've already come. I give you permission to be okay with yourself... all of you... as you are today. Lay aside your guilt, shame and self-condemnation.
Of course you don't need me to give you this permission. You can give it to yourself.
Stop judging and condemning yourself. Be curious about those mindsets, attitudes, behaviors and actions that sabotage your happiness, peace and wellbeing. Face and address them, not in order to become more lovable and worthy, but as an act of love toward yourself because of your innate and inestimable worth. Consider your highest achievement on the path to become a person of self-compassion.
Jim Palmer