Please. Be kind to yourself.
So with all the hectic craziness and such here lately, I wanted to post something of a more gentle nature. To remind everyone... just to be.
So, in the last few years I've learned a few things. Some were easy, some were hard. One of the hardest, I think, was the most important. It's a simple concept - but damnably difficult in practice, at times. Being kind to myself, loving myself, was one of the hardest things I ever had to learn to do. When years of practice at self hatred and self flagellation have earned you nothing, it seems like a pretty simple thing to just stop. For some reason, this isn't simple at all.
I was fortunate, in that I had others to help me do this. People close to me who saw the good things about me, who shared their lives, their feelings, doubts and fears - and strength, with me. One in particular dragged me out of my room and verbally beat some sense into me. My sister, Katie - literally saved my life.
Anyhow... the point of this post, is to remind everyone here to take a deep breath. Whatever you're going through right now, be kind to yourself. Be gentle with yourself. Remember your strengths, your good qualities. Whatever life throws your way, with the right attitude, you can roll with the punches.
It is a strange experience, to be on the outside looking in on someone who is much like I used to be. Man, woman, child - regardless, your most attractive features are your heart and soul. So much obsession with things that... in the grand scheme of things, don't matter much, does none of us any good.
Money, status, material possessions, superficial qualities and concerns... no matter where any of this lies, if you can love yourself and be kind to yourself regardless, I believe you will go far. Happiness and contentment don't come from external, material things, but from within. Some times we find these things within others and it helps us to realize them on our own. If there isn't anyone like that for you though, you can find it yourself. Listen to the birds singing, the chipmunks chattering, watch the beautiful, starry skies at night. Listen to the laughter of children. Watch an eagle soar.
If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed... take a deep breath, count to ten. There is always a better day, another smile - and more laughter, waiting just around the corner.
I think if we could all do this (and we can - it's just a matter of taking the plunge) the world would be a much happier place.
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And as I've said to my daughters in the past, there is nothing they can't say to me that they can't unsay later. Give yourself that same leeway.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]Treat your body like a machine. Your mind like a castle.[/center][/font][hr]
It's something I'm trying to work on all the time...until I forget to think of me kindly, which happens most of the time.
I really needed this reminder right in this moment... thank you and namaste 
Had a friend brutally murdered a couple weeks ago, lost a dear old friend in Sept., another dying of cancer. Too much! My dog always makes me laugh and smile, and takes me out on walks 
