Dearest Readers,
Times continue to be tough the world over. How are you doing? Not bad? Okay? Barely hanging on?
However this letter finds you, I am thankful you are with me in this moment, reading these words, connecting in this small way on the Path of Life. We are not alone even though we may feel lonely sometimes.
It’s been a few months since the last letter. Summer took over. Family arrived. Adventures happened.
If you are new to this blog, welcome! If you’ve been reading for a while, you already know that I am all about doing my inner work.
Why? Because I don’t like to suffer. So when I’m in the pit of despair (as I like to call it), I will get to work on examining the problem, seeking the solution and taking action to heal. (I’ve been accused of being intense 😉
Sometimes I resist the healing process and wallow in the mire, but I remain pretty consistently willing to let go of my old ideas and do the good work of changing my perception/attitude/behaviour in order to feel better.
Lately, the bulk of my inner work has been about reassuring myself when I’m anxious, afraid, shut down, angry, sad, or critical. Sometimes, it’s as simple as putting my hand on my chest and saying, “I’m here.” Other times, I’m in full-on cheerleading mode, looking in the mirror and saying, “You’re doing great!”
It’s taken me a long time to learn how to do these simple actions. The inner critic has been my constant companion (and often fights back). How much easier it has been to see that you are doing your best but me? I’ve practically made “not measuring up” a lifestyle choice!
Years ago, as a healing ritual, I bought a measuring stick at the hardware store, broke it into pieces (with furor), lit a small fire in the yard and watched it burn. It wasn’t the end of measuring my life performance but it was the beginning of practicing stopping the thoughts that tell me I’m not good enough. Stopping the negative self-talk. Stopping the judgment.
These days, taking it one step further and reassuring myself has proven to be a highly effective strategy for well-being.
“You’re doing great!”
Really? I’m doing great?
“Yes! You are!”
No, no. Let me give you a long list of how I’m not doing great! Let me tell you how I’m failing!
But what if doing great meant nothing more than being alive in these hard times? What if it was actually enough just to get up, do the day and go to bed?
“You did that? You made it through another day? You are a successful human being!”
Because staying alive in this world is an accomplishment in itself. It is enough just to be here and get through it.
Whenever the measuring stick comes back out and I start to feel the anxiety mounting, I take it upon myself to validate my be-ing with loving words.
Sometimes it takes more convincing than other times but I’m learning to be my own best friend. And it helps.
Wherever you are on your own Healing Journey, you’re doing great!
Love and blessings,
Celia
