Oh Girl . . .

I think it is funny that it is mid-January and I’m already shuffling my goals around to make them easier to achieve.  13 days into the New Year.  Seriously, I thought I had a little more determination than that!  But rather than judge myself or berate myself… I’m just going to recognize two important things…  

First, the primitive part of my brain is just trying to protect me and find the easiest way, the path of least resistance.  This is what brains do. Our brains are hard-wired to look for threats… to avoid anything that could be potentially painful or dangerous.  This includes avoiding any kind of failure or embarrassment,  which sounds really good…. except failure, embarrassment, challenge and risk are part of growth.  I need to do these things if I’m going to grow and meet my goals.   I need the rational part of my brain, the reasonable frontal lobe to prevail in my life.  When I slow down and think about it, (rather than panic and react) I realize that I want to step out, to progress and to grow. Risk, failure, fear are all a part of it.

The second thing is that I need to show myself some love.  Today and always.   Self compassion is going to get me where I want to be a lot faster than self criticism.  We can’t berate ourselves toward progress.  This includes goals for exercise, diet, academics, spiritual growth, all of it.  When I am judging myself harshly, listening to that nagging voice in my head that tells me “I can’t” or “I am not good enough” or …. (you fill in the blank here… it can go on and on) I am the one limiting myself.  From love, I can do most anything!  At least my chances to accomplish my goals are better .  

So I’m sharing this darling picture of my youngest granddaughter.  She is so pleased with the princess mermaid look she put together.  I see a lot of love in her face.  I’m going to hold on to  that look of adoration and apply it to my imperfect self.  I hope you can too.