Wk 6 Embracing imperfection

This is a post about my findings from week 6 of practicing mindfulness.

Have you noticed that you are often gifted with a situation at the very moment that you most need to learn a lesson?

It happened to me this week and now I finally understand what people mean when they say “be kind to yourself”.

This week the evening class focused on self-compassion; accepting ourselves exactly as we are, in other words being our own best friend.

On the weekend I then had the chance to truly find compassion for myself and accept myself as I am but what did I do instead? I got fixated on how I had reacted to a comment made by someone else and how my response was not mindful at all.

Being human is not about being any one particular way; it is about being as life creates you—with your own particular strengths and weaknesses, gifts and challenges, quirks and oddities (Kristen Neff)

I ruminated on the situation, continually reviewing it and trying out other things I could have said or done. I was like a broken record, playing the same part of a song over and over again. And this went on for days. Days after the person had probably put it behind them but I still hadn’t let it go and remained cross with myself.

I expect to be respected and therefore I should show respect to others. Raising my voice did not show respect nor maturity and I felt ashamed. I had stated what I wanted but I hadn’t been calm about it. Mindfulness practitioner, really?

Thank you universe for highlighting when I need to show myself kindness. I forgive myself for raising my voice. I intend to do better next time.

Outcomes and findings

Practicing mindful self-awareness will help me recognise when my buttons are being pushed.

All emotions are OK. Like thoughts we can not choose them.

I will refrain from having conversations about an issue that means something to me, after consuming alcohol!

I am not perfect, I am a work in progress.

TH!nc There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in (Leonard Cohen)