Self-realization

I'm learning that I can't want something for 

another person. 

I can only discover what is right for me.

What's right for them, is right for them.

And I am gradually learning it's OK for me to be right for me.

We don't have to agree.

We don't have to give up our own truth.

We're all human, beautiful, and capable of making mistakes.

We can't always change the situation, 

we can't change someone else's mind,

but we can change our perspective.

We can look at reality differently.

We can accept other's points of view,

and meet them where they are,

not what we expect them to be.

We don't have to prove our worth.

We're all imperfect and whole.

May we always remember how special we are...

and that there will never be another one just like us.

We never have to apologize for being who we are.

Be willing to engage in some self-reflection and correction.

Walk in your truth. Strive to do your best at being a nice human.

Enjoy what is good, and solve the problems that belong to you.

Journal notes:

When you're tempted to turn your life into a grand plan,

leave some space in your day for God to write more beautiful

things in your life.

Take responsibility for your behavior.

Be sure it's not self-defeating or hurtful.

Tackle your own parts in the story.

If it feels right, or feels wrong,

appropriate or non-appropriate,

trust that feeling.

You deserve to be at peace with yourself and with others.

Turn to God  for help. He will guide you in the process.

'Perhaps, "turn the other cheek",

 means to look at the same thing

from a new perspective.'

Drop the defense.

You don't  have to defend yourself from a crime you never committed.

It just becomes a power struggle.

It takes two to fight.

It takes one to stop.

Don't let others' words penetrate your spirit.

It's not personal.

It's more about how they feel about themselves.

Keep your mind from spiraling downward,

and meditate on His goodness within you.

Watch for signs and signals.

Trust in His timing.

Allow Him to lead the way.

(for me it's that subtle nudge)

Live in harmony with life.

Blessing...

May you know how to relax completely,

sleep deeply, and receive all the blessings of every moment

as they arise.

May you deeply trust in the Divine plan.

May you feel gratitude and ease today.

May you remain centered in all conditions, 

even those which are difficult.

May you breathe, relax, and trust that you are being guided.

May you know and love who you really are.

Be safe, and well...

xoxo

💖

"Be yourself. If you water yourself down to

please people or to fit in or not offend anyone,

you lose the power, the passion, the freedom and the joy

of being uniquely you.

It's much easier to love yourself 

when you are being yourself."

"Lose your inhibition, follow your intuition,

free your inner soul,

and break away from tradition."

~Black Eyes Peas, 'Let's Get it Started'

 

Self-Compassion

Kindness. Understanding. Acceptance. Care.

Warmth. Gentle. Balance. Clarity. Mental Health.

Resilience. Growth. Motivation. Progress. Solution.

Adaptable.

What is self-compassion?

Today, I am taking some time to reshuffle a few things

that will help keep me on course with taking care of myself, and calming my nervous system.

For starters, I'm working on my own self-compassion,

pulling out of my talking head....and tuning into my heart.

I had a bit of an emotional situation this week,

and my guts are still a little wonky....

 my nervous system took a hit.

Certain things trip me up...

and that's OK.

It helps me to heal the places where I trip.

All is well.

Notes:

Acknowledge the obstacles in your way &

choose to fly over them anyway.

"Adversity is God's most effective tool."

~Charles Stanley~

"There is nothing worse than a life filled with adversity from which

nothing good ever comes."

'That's your work. The "thing" that won't let you enjoy life.

It's about you working on you.'

You are free to examine, and choose your beliefs.

Set yourself free from self-defeating beliefs that were passed on to you.

Free your mind from hurtful thoughts and emotions.

Replace hurting ideas & thoughts

with love and gratitude.

'You do not have to fit into a mold.

God can use you according to how you were made.

Find your cadence in life & faith today, and lead with love.'

"Healing is learning to love the journey as much as the reward.

Healing is nonlinear.

So many people want the peak but hate and refuse to do the climb.

People want the physical, emotional, mental, spiritual change

without the growing pains."

~Dr. Will Cole~

 I included a link from Dr. Kristen Neff at the end of this post.

It's just for fun,

if you want to get a sense of your current level of self-compassion.

Be well...

xoxo

💖

" Instead of mercilessly judging and criticizing yourself for various inadequacies

or shortcomings, self-compassion means you are kind and understanding when confronted

with your feelings-

after all, whoever said you were supposed to be perfect?"

~Dr. Kristen Neff~

The Three Pillars of Self-Compassion

Self-Kindness vs. Self-Judgement

Practicing self-care instead of  harsh self-criticism.

Common Humanity vs. Isolation

Suffering and imperfection are part

of our shared human experience.

Mindfulness vs. Over-Identification

Observing painful thoughts and feelings

without judgement or over-identification.

Assessment:

https://self-compassion.org/self-compassion-test/?fbclid=IwAR0wzjbBEGK4nRAeF5N2ZDZdBEDbN78qDQZI_xswKIQOjk1U-cYjonmpHfM

Meaningful Things

Hustling to pack up for an impromptu overnight

stay, so we'd be close to Mom.

 Deciding on a budget hotel with a pool.

Splashing around and visiting until dusk.

Waking up early to my peeps sleeping in the next bed.

A quick run for convenient store coffee.

Fresh flowers from my garden, coffee mugs, candles, and a Bluetooth speaker

 packed in a vintage picnic basket, to make it all more special.

Streaming an oldie playlist on Spotify, as we shuffle around

like bumper cars getting ready for the day.

Singing out loud & breaking into 30 second dance parties.

Going with the flow, 

and feeling super-happy.

Having an amazing time with my family,

'cuz this is me.

Notes:

Put your heart into the plans, and don't worry about the outcome.

Celebrate what is beautiful about the other people in your life.

All you have is now. 

What you do with the hours you're given is incredibly important.

Choose to pay attention to what is important to you.

Let go of distractions.

Allow life to happen, 

instead of trying to control it.

Make the most of each day.

You are where you are meant to be.

Stop trying to control the process.

Relax and experience it.

"God is stronger than whatever's holding you back."

'You have everything you that you need

now & in the future.

The only thing missing from your dream is you.'

Love the challenges. 

Practice being good at whatever is given to you.

Things aren't going to always be the way 

you want them to be.

Honor and respect it.

Life is going to unfold as it will.

Instead of trying to make it what you want,

take what is, and make it the best it can be.

Live in a way you look back & say,

"I had a good time."

be well...

xoxo

💖

 

Anxiety & Rhythm

Every morning, I pray for guidance and direction.

Truth is, when it comes down to finding direction,

( directionally challenged to begin with...)

 I get all heady.

I have so many interests...and things that I love...

 my thoughts can get a bit scattered,

 and I then I start to confuse myself.

*Pause *Breathe *Zoom out *Align

*Journal.

When I come here to write, it is usually something that I read about

and recorded in my own musings.

Something that stirred within me.

 Healing the nervous system seems to be the subject of  a lot of stirring lately.

This morning the majority of my journaling was about fear, and anxiety.

 Yesterday I had a chat at the table with a loved one about anxiety.,

and the 4-7-8 breath.

So ... I thought I'd make some picks from my journal notes today.

Nuggets that helped me to stay on course with my "stirring".

I'm also adding this video to my tool box.

Rhythm to calm.

They seem to pair well together.😊

Learn to enjoy life more.

The more you focus on God's presence with you,

the more you can enjoy life.

Who you are, and who you will become, 

only God knows. 

Listen for His voice.

Don't let failures define you.

Use them to inform your next steps.

" I am the way, and the truth, and the life."

John 14:6

Anxiety & worry, are destroyers of health,

wealth & happiness.

The only way to get rid of fear-

is to transmute it into faith.

Fear is the opposite of Faith.

Both register in the subconscious.

What you focus on will grow.

Believe that all things are possible.

 

Make a habit of making giant swings into Faith.

You might find that right this moment,

you have more than enough reasons to be happy 

& centered.

'You cannot accomplish anything 

you cannot see yourself accomplishing.'

'Trusting God is like walking a tight rope.

Doubt and fear cause you to lose your balance,

and fall off into lack and limitation.

It takes practice to acquire poise & balance.'

'We suffer more than we need to,

We reopen old wounds by dwelling on the past.

We live in needless dread of what tomorrow

will bring.'

'What a beautiful world this would be if

all anxiety and fear were blotted out.

The only way to neutralize it

is to walk up to the thing you are

afraid of.'

Out of the book: Can You still Trust God?

by Charles Stanley

' I encourage you today..

Refuse to allow anxiety to become a "state of being" in your life.

Believe God when He says you are worthy of His constant care.

Yield total control of every area of your life to God.

Refuse to be caught up in what others think of you.

Refuse to be trapped into operating according to the world's systems

Get your priorities in line with God's priorities for you.

Choose to live in today, not tomorrow.

And You will find yourself living with a growing,

deep inner peace,

free from fear and anxiety.'

be well...

xoxo

💖

" We don't know where we're going,

we don't know what is going to happen,

but no one can take away from you 

what you put in your own mind."

The Choice: Embrace the Possibilities

Edith Eger