Living Peace
There's a very simple and loving practice that I picked up from a book by Gay and Kathlyn Hendricks. It helps me to love all of myself, especially those parts that I deem bad or wrong.
All that you do is notice when you feel guilty, ashamed, angry or sad, any 'negative' emotion. Then say to yourself, "I love myself for feeling (the 'negative' emotion)." So, I love myself for feeling guilty that I'm writing this instead of cleaning the kitchen.
They aren't just empty words. There's truth behind them. I really do love myself for feeling guilty that I'm not cleaning the kitchen. My guilt shows me that I care about being a contributing member of my relationship with my partner, that I value our commitment to work together and support one another in many different ways.
My experience has been that I used to be my own worst enemy. I was consistently beating myself up and making myself wrong, being my own worst judge or critic. When I felt angry with someone I then made myself wrong for feeling that way and ended up feeling ashamed about my anger. The negativity and judgment would snowball. There was a constant war within me.
Now, when I recognize that I'm feeling guilty, ashamed, angry or sad, I remind myself that I truly do love myself for feeling that way. I love myself for all of my feelings. I'm never wrong for how I feel and neither are you. My 'negative' emotions show my empathy and compassion, that I care about just and loving treatment.
Are you open to seeing and loving the gifts of your 'negative' feelings? Doing so has the potential to bring peace to the war within. What might be possible for you if you experienced greater peace?
With love,
Jill
0 comments:
Post a Comment