Photo by Elizabeth Halt
Photo by Elizabeth Halt

giving ourselves a break

March 23, 2015

elizabethhalt.com | giving ourselves a break

today, i did something on my mental to-do list. it was one of those things that should have been done a while ago, but today was the very first day that it was possible for me to do it. as i was on my way to do the thing, i noticed that i was mentally berating myself for being unable to do it earlier.

when the voice in my head became conscious, the thought that popped into my head was this: why was i beating myself up for this one small part of the story of the thing, instead of giving myself credit for everything else?

what happened next surprised me.

i heard not-quite-a-voice in my head, more like a felt-sense in my body, and the message that landed was this: you went through something hard with grace & dignity. you are doing a good job and i am so so so proud of you.

the message brought me to tears because i could feel that it was the truth.

i am wont to wonder why: why do we pick ourselves apart in order to beat ourselves up?

instead, i think i am going to focus on the fact that patterns can be changed – that my pattern is changing – one moment of loving kindness at a time.

Filed under
musings

4 comments... (add a comment)

  1. Perhaps the why is no longer important. You have stopped doing it! Stopping is enough.

  2. i don’t know why we find it the hardest to be kind to ourselves.
    but we do.
    unless we’re a kardashian of course.

    a beautiful post e.
    xo♥

  3. YES! A huge resounding yes. We must be kind in word and deed – to ourselves as often as to others. YES!

  4. elizabeth

    Jerry: I suspect you are right!

    Tammy: It is puzzling, isn’t it. Thank you!

    Relyn: At least as often – YES!

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