DailyOM
January 30, 2008
Create Time For Self-Compassion
Being Gentle With Ourselves
During those times when our lives are filled with what seems to be constant change and growth, it is important to remember that we need to be gentle with ourselves. Since it can be easy to use our energy to keep up with the momentum of our lives, we may not be aware of the fact that we are much more likely to run ourselves down. When things seem to be moving quickly, it is especially essential that we make a point to slow down and be gentle with ourselves.
It might be difficult to notice what is happening to us for we may be so caught up in the whirlwind of our lives that we lose sight of the direction in which things are heading. Being gentle with ourselves doesn’t mean that we don’t accomplish things. Instead it means that we honor ourselves on an ongoing basis and take care of the needs of our bodies.
This means different things to different people. For instance, it could mean having a session with a healer; taking a remedy, herbs, or vitamins; or getting extra sleep. Putting our energy into ourselves in this way helps create space for a more positive, loving, and accepting view of our lives. By setting the intention to do so, we will be more cognizant of our energy levels on a daily basis and more able to replenish them as needed.
The more we are able to treat our bodies with gentleness, the more tenderness and compassion we will call forth into our lives. Learning to understand and pay attention to what our self needs will in turn allow us to fill our lives with unlimited loving and healing energy and to truly take care of the things that mean the most to us.
At work this afternoon, I had an epiphany that I had totally lost sight of my 2008 intention... and wasn't doing anywhere near the relate/relax/release-ing I had promised myself - I almost got angry, and then realized that if I didn't start changing something, I was back to the same-old, same-old. I've actually cancelled some things this week and not accepted a few invitations as well - feels like time to keep a low profile and concentrate on caretaking...
I really miss reading (just don't seem to make the time for it anymore) and, synchronistically, a friend just today loaned me the new Stephen King book, Duma Key - I'm a long-time fanatic, beginning way back when Carrie was first released and buying almost everything in hardback as soon as it was released. The entire top shelf of my wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling bookcase is overflowing with SK tomes, including his Dark Tower series and a few non-fiction works on writing - the new novel weighs in at a hefty 607 pages.
So... I read the first fifty, headed to the grocery store, whereupon I stocked up on healthy comfort foods (not necessarily an oxymoron), then unloaded the goods when I got home, hardly touching the computer (except for this blog) and not even turning on the TV - I'll spend another hour reading, will do a jacuzzi soak and then crawl into bed (Self-Pampering 101 launched!).
Today's poem is from a book I recently gave a friend for her birthday (I've gifted a few others with this special offering too) - figured I would do well to take my own advice/wish, eh?... :-)
BOOK: This Is My Wish for You Mini by Charles Snell, Harold Darling
POEM: This is My Wish for You...
That the spirit of beauty may continually hover about you and fold you close within he tendernesses of her wings.
That each beautiful and gracious thing in life may be unto you as a symbol of good for your soul's delight.
That sun-glories
and star-glories
leaf-glories and bark-glories
flower-glories
and glories that lurk in the grasses of the field
glories of mountains
and oceans
of little streams of running waters
glories of song
of poesy
of all the arts
may be to you as sweet, abiding influences that will illumine your life and make you glad.
That your soul may be as an alabaster cup, filled to overflowing with the mystical wine of beauty and love.
That happiness may put her arms around you,
and wisdom make your soul serene.
Ths is my wish for you.
QUOTE: "At this very moment, you may be saying to yourself that you have any number of admirable qualities. You are a loyal friend, a caring person, someone who is smart, dependable, fun to be around. That's wonderful, and I'm happy for you, but let me ask you this: are you being any of those things to yourself?" ~ Phillip C. McGraw
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