Self-reflection

When I sat to reflect on the last few years,

I expected it to look a bit like waking up after a severe storm.

 Broken and destroyed.

Or in my imagination....,

I turn back to see the little walking-wounded- versions of me,

left in the wake of

 emotional upsets,

 negative habits, and obstacles I released along the way.

I'd see darkness, gloom, burnt earth,

and listless remains.

Instead, in the aftermath of it all...

 I discover light and life.

I see birds on the feeders and flowers that traveled through time.

 Gardens that have transitioned and grown more colorful and beautiful.

Old quilts (stained with ink blots, coffee spills, and smudgy paw prints), and throw pillows on the wicker loveseat.

The little things that were there when I started on my spiritual journey,

and that have become sources of comfort and joy along the way.

 

So I look back...

....and mostly,

I am awed by the beauty.

I see grace, peace, 

comfort, warmth and love.

I see forgiveness, healing, and renewal.

I see little pieces of the essence of me.

I see God.

Journal notes...

"It's OK to lean into the grace that reminds

you things will come together in the way they were supposed to."

'You are free to forgive and you are also free to heal.

You are worthy of love no matter how anyone else has made you feel.'

'When you feel the pull of the past, and feel helpless trying to calm

the storms on your own,

remember to do the best you can do knowing & trusting

it's not all up to you.'

Work against the patterns that hold you back, and that hurt.

Be submissive to God.

It is God's responsibility to remove what stands in the way,

not yours.

'It's OK to cast down your burdens &

believe in healing.

It is all a part of being grounded right where you need to be.

All by grace, it is still being written in the way it was meant to be.'

Trust God with your life regardless of what you see.

Take time to seek His wisdom through His word.

Be willing to wait for His answer.

Put off falsehood & speak truthfully.

"Be rather than seem."

Let authenticity be your guide and travel companion.

If the next step is clear, then the one thing to do is take it.

'Let the real version of you show up, & you will experience a new

take on your life.

It might feel like a stretch, but it's worth it.

Your worth it !!'

You can benefit from a crisis by gaining greater self-awareness.

It forces you to stop and take a good look at your life.

Re-evaluate your beliefs, goals, values & life direction.

Let go of the things that hold you back.

Shift your attitude.

Connect with your inner greatness, contentment,

and true sense of happiness. 

 Enjoy your life, and no longer be run by it.

Focus on what you're doing right &

on all that is good around you.

"...to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy

for mourning, the garment of praise for 

the spirit of heaviness...."

Isaiah 61:13

Don't give up on Love.

be well...

xoxo

💝

"Negative self-talk produces physiological stress

in the body and raises cortisol,

among other things.

So not only can we feel happier and mentally lighter

when we retrain the brain towards love and acceptance,

we are creating better whole-body health at the same time."

~Dr. Mark Hyman~