Falling in love with myself has been my obsession for the last week or so. I constantly find myself thinking about it. I catch myself saying things that are not so "loving" to myself. I then have to make the effort to correct my negative comment. So, when I look at myself in the mirror and think, with disgust, just look at that cellulite these thighs, I now know how self-defeating that is. They may have a little cellulite, but guess what? I've also discovered that they look pretty darn good in a pair of leggings! So that's what I'll try to remind myself of from now on.
I actually read something this week that talked about how self- depreciation can actually foster a sense of unity among women. At first I balked at the idea, then I really began to think about it. Is there some truth to this theory?
Why is it so hard for women to accept a compliment and just say, thank you? Why is the reply often something like, "What, this old thing? " Or when someone says, "Wow you've really lost weight", why are we compelled to respond with something like, "Yeah, thanks, but I've still got to get those last five pounds off." Why do we feel the need to explain away what makes us beautiful and special?
I think the answer lies somewhere in a poem that I love by Mary Ann Williamson:
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light , not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We were born to make and manifest the Glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
My question to you today is: Who are you not to be BRILLIANT, GORGEOUS AND TALENTED? If you are indeed a child of God, what keeps you playing yourself small? Think of 5 ways to begin showing more kindness to your self and start RIGHT AWAY! Your gift's are too precious to hide from yourself and the world!
Love the quote. I may reference it next week in my blog. Good reminder! :O)
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite coaches really knocked me on my backside about taking compliments well. He pointed that if your response to a compliment is to list all the reasons why it's not true, you've just insulted the person who paid you the compliment.
ReplyDeleteHe says that the only polite response to a compliment is, "Thank you!" or if you really must say something further, then, "Thank you. Please tell me more!" is acceptable. :D