I’ve been told I am a very compassionate person. I try to be as genuinely kind and loving as I can to others, and I think for the most part, I succeed. But there’s one place where my compassion often does not extend…to myself.
It’s a little embarrassing to admit, especially in my line of work. But alas, I’m only human. And I guess, in a way, my experience with a massively harsh inner critic has given me even greater compassion for others struggling with the same.
Have you really listened to what your inner dialogue is saying?
I swear, I think if we read a transcript of everything we said to ourselves in our head through the course of a day, we’d be appalled at the level of negativity and judgment we have towards ourselves.
Nobody performs well under constant attack; and yet, we expect the best of ourselves while relentlessly beating ourselves up on the inside. Doesn’t seem like fair odds to me.
If you’re serious about owning your power, this behavior has to stop.
The Warrior Path to Self-Compassion
Learning to be compassionate to yourself after a lifetime of entertaining the inner critic can feel a little bit like trying to turn around an oil tanker. You may turn the steering wheel on the boat, but the full “about face” doesn’t happen all at once.
Luckily, I had teachers and resources that helped me through the toughest times, and I’d like to share those with you. In the video below, I break down the basics of self compassion – defining what it really is and what it is NOT (these false definitions can rob you of true happiness for years). And I clarify how you actually make it happen. (In my opinion, there’s no point in just talking about this. We need to learn how to ACTIVATE our wisdom so we can see the benefits in our life!)
So, let’s get started. Click play on the video below. (This is the 7th video in the Living in Your Potential Series.)
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So, there you have it. As the Buddha once said “If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete.”
Do yourself a favor, and don’t just leave it here. ACTUALIZE what you’ve learned:
1. Write in the comments below one self-pitying or self-indulging behavior you’ve had in the past, and write down what self-compassionate behavior you’re going to replace it with in the future.
I’ll get us started:
Old self-indulgent behavior – Use having a “bad day” as an excuse to skip my exercise and eat a pint of ice cream and watch tv on the couch!
New self-compassionate behavior – Go for a walk on the beach to recharge my batteries and process my thoughts without numbing the pain.
Ok, now it’s your turn. Write in the comments below. Let’s keep each other accountable! And remember, move forward with kindness and gentleness for your beautiful soul.
Much love,
Amy
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