I learned a lesson this week.
Or, rather I re-learned it. (So many of the lessons we really need to learn seem to come at us again and again until they stick).
After boldly declaring the new direction of this blog last Monday and hinting at the quality of content it was going to produce, I so badly wanted to come back with a bang. I had planned to create a meditation video to share with you (something that’s been on the back burner for quite some time). I actually did film the video, then spent a good deal of last week wrestling with some technical issues with the new version of iMovie (does anybody understand how it works?) and my own inner perfectionist and, needless to say, it didn’t happen.
As the week progressed and my inspiration abated, I found myself growing increasingly worked up about not having anything to post. My inner monologue went something like this: “How can I expect write a blog on spirituality if I can’t even manage to create and post one simple (insert expletive) meditation video?” I was so caught up in my own flurry of anxiety that I almost forgot one of the most basic spiritual principles: You are ok exactly as you are. In fact, you are more than ok. You don’t have to do or be anything to be extraordinary. You already are.
As children, hopefully, most of us know this to be true. We expect and understand that mistakes and missteps are all part of learning curve and we don’t demand perfection of ourselves. We allow room for trial and error. Yet, somewhere along the course of adulthood, we become increasingly intolerant with the process of our own growth. We make demands. We berate ourselves. We start to insist on excellence every single time.
Here’s the thing: if we don’t have compassion for ourselves, nothing else works. The spiritual journey is a complex and beautiful one of getting to know ourselves, inside and out, and accepting ourselves fully. It’s a life’s work of cultivating a deep, intimate relationship with our self. That means having the courage to explore the depths of our being and granting ourselves the compassion, space and patience to accept with what we find there.
Self-compassion truly is the foundation for a spirit-led life. Having compassion for ourselves allows us to view our perceived mistakes and failures as simply a part of our personal and spiritual growth. It gives us the ability to embark on a new journey or adventure with strength and courage, even when we don’t know exactly how it’s going to look.
When we fail to handle ourselves with compassion we stifle our ability to create, to grow and to express ourselves fully as we are here to do. Our part is to simply have the willingness for change and the patience and compassion for ourselves to allow for that process of growth to occur. The Universe does the rest.
The more kindness I am able to give myself, the more accepting I am of my own process and the happier I become. The meditation video will come when it needs to. For now, I’ll take this gentle reminder to call on compassion for myself and my journey, and I encourage you to do the same.
xoxo
Kristi
How are you with your self-compassion? Is there any area of your life that could use a little more of it?
