my worst critic

To believe that we must hide the parts of us that feel broken or that we are ashamed of, out of fear that others won't accept or love us as we are, is "to believe that sunshine is incapable of entering a broken window and warming an empty room." (Sandra King)

I was my own worst critic and harshest judge.... For everything I believed to be lacking within. For my mistakes and failings. For all the "stupid" things I said and did. For too long, I carried the weight of guilt and un-deservedness. This impacted how I showed up in my relationships and in my life overall, and led to self-sabotaging behaviors that blocked love and joy from flowing in.

I had to make space for the new. How did I do this?
I had to FORGIVE MYSELF....
For my past choices and behaviors.
For making mistakes.
For letting myself down.
For berating myself for too long.
For giving away my power.

It took me a long time to realize that not a single one of us is perfect. We ALL make mistakes. We all say and do things we can't take back. This doesn't make us terrible people. It makes us human.

What matters is that we become aware of the underlying motivations for why we do what we do so we can realize what we need to UNLEARN, what we need to RELEARN, and how we are being called to grow and evolve.

If any of this resonates with you,
Please remember this -
You're not your mistakes.
Your past doesn't define you.
You get to decide how you'll show up today.
You get to choose differently now.
You DO deserve love and joy!

Begin to appreciate yourself for how far you have come, how much you have grown, and for everything you ARE. Be gentle with yourself as you learn. Be proud of your courage and strength.

You have so many beautiful qualities within you - EMBRACE THEM! Choose to see yourself in a new light and commit to loving yourself now, exactly as you are.
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"Keep your face toward the sunshine, and shadows will fall behind you" (Walt Whitman)