Life can be rough... for everybody, and at different times. Difficulties are almost a right of passage as a living being on this planet, but, these challenges are essential. They are opportunities. They help us to understand our grit, our resiliency; They help us to be masters of transformation in our own lives. To have the opportunity of choice to either be a victim of our life circumstances or to be the master of our circumstances. Mindset and intention often differentiate the path of the two.
One thing that we do not speak about as frequently is the idea of honoring ourselves for the process of navigating challenging times. Too often, we are so focused in the details of our current situations and the new upcoming challenges that we are consistently thinking about the “next”. Primitively, this assists us with survival, but, in modern day this prevents us from giving ourselves the credit we deserve for overcoming our many trials and tribulations. The follow-up domino effect of this can lead to exhaustion and diminished feelings of self worth, self value, and self compassion.
How do we build a healthier, compassionate relationship with ourselves? Take a step back and give yourself some credit. Figuratively step back in your life to refocus on your circumstances and the leaps and strides you have made to get to where you are now and where you came from. This is a committed act of self-love. Committed as in it will be all-too-easy to slip back into detachment from our growth and the accompanying self-respect, and we must make a healthy habit to do this reflective work.
Make a routine or ritual out of this by dedicating some set time aside each day or each week to reflect on successes or accomplishments towards your goals. At the end of a day when you're laying in bed is a good time to do this. Make sure you acknowledge your small wins. Honor yourself for any effort you’ve made towards any set goals that honor some part of you and your life. Partial credit is everything- appreciate any efforts made towards a goal you have. Talk to yourself like you would your best friend – and do it with love and compassion. Bring an attitude of gratitude towards yourself to this practice and watch how you start to emotionally feel good about yourself. Thank yourself for honoring this time you set aside each and every time you do so.
We are surely too busy and life is surely too short and plenty of time is spent chasing the “next”. Therefore, it’s a missed opportunity to go through life without developing a relationship with ourselves based in our own acknowledgement, love, and respect. Being our best friend and number one cheerleader is everything. Take some time today to consciously choose to slow down and give yourself some credit.
Comments