How are you doing?
Really? How are you doing?
You seem to be burning the candle at both ends and in a bit of a funk. And honestly, it seems to be a little difficult for you to get out of it. I understand, I know you’ve been disappointed and unsure about the future and that’s a scary place to be. Uncertainty is never a comfortable place especially when we’re waiting for something and we’re not sure when it’s going to come. Or if it’s going to come.
We all get in a funk from time to time. And some times it’s harder to get out of it than others. Do you remember when John was struggling last year and you came alongside him and encouraged him? You were so kind and encouraging; you were cheering him on every step of the way! Although it seemed like he kept stumbling, you didn’t miss a beat. You didn’t miss an opportunity to raise his spirits and be his cheerleader. I think you’d agree that your support and encouragement helped him to finally achieve his goal.
You’re a natural encourager!
So I wonder… How are you doing with self compassion as you walk through this “season?” In your funk – are you beating yourself up or are you understanding that every misstep is a learning experience? Having compassion for yourself, rather than shame and blame, is vitally important for your well-being and frame of mind.
I know you have some goals in mind and you’re not achieving them. But neither was John and you were full of compassion and empathy for him.
I’d encourage you to take a few minutes and meditate on these questions:
- Are you allowing yourself the freedom to walk through this process? With stumbles and victories? Every journey has one step forward two steps back until we master new habits and skills.
- What is your tone with yourself? Are you kind and compassionate? Are you harsh and judgmental?
- Is there a difference between the way you talk to your friends and the way you’re talking to yourself now?
- If your tone is different, do you think changing your self talk/self thoughts would help you? Do you think it would hurt you?
- What can you do today that would help you inch towards peace?
The “journey” will still exist no matter how you walk it out. Remember that at the end of the day it’s just you and God. There really is no one else who understands completely how you feel.
Be kind to yourself.
Nurture who you are.
Take some moments throughout the day and see if what you’re choosing, what you’re doing, and what you’re thinking, will benefit you or bless you. Maybe, maybe not. But understand that self criticism and self bullying will never be an effective motivator.
Ask God to help you – as he is an ever present help in your time of need. When you were learning to walk if we had criticize you with every stumble when you were learning to walk, you may very well be crawling today! Ha ha! Seriously though, with a little bit of encouragement (OK, a lot of encouragement), you got back up and, even though you were scared, you tried again and eventually you took one step out step without holding on and then another. And another! And one day, you decided to go for it… And you walked unassisted by yourself across the room. We were cheering like crazy but I think the smile that covered your face told us that you were even happier than we were!
That’s the kind of compassion and understanding that will encourage you today. And who will you listen to more than yourself? Remember, you are always with you. So be kind and compassionate.
You are a treasure!
I love you dearly,
If you’re a blogger and you’d like to linkup your article please click on the Inlinkz button below and follow the steps. Be sure to check out other amazing articles linked up by very talented writers!!!
Laurie says
This is wonderful advice for anyone – not just a child. I think we sometimes are much harsher with ourselves than we are with family and friends. we need to encourage ourselves, too! And allow God to help.
Char says
I need this too. It’s not my specialty!
Michele Morin says
Amazing advice here, and so timely for me as I just finished reading April Yamasaki’s book on self-care which is so reasonable. Her thesis could be boiled down to this sentence: Self care is “me-too” rather than “me-first” or “me-not-at-all”!
Char says
I love that synopsis!
Patrick Weseman says
Wow, that is so deep and profound and beautiful. It is a great message to everybody and not just our children. I needed that advice.Thanks for sharing it.
Thanks for hosting and I hope that you have a wonderful week.
Char says
Thanks for stopping by Patrick! This is a topic I can’t hear enough about. It doesn’t come naturally.
Cheryl says
Thank you for the encouragement; without self-care, it is difficult to care for anyone let alone ourselves!
Char says
The older I get, the more I see this is true. Thanks for stopping by Cheryl
Rebecca Jones says
If Jesus could condemn us and doesn’t why do we do it to ourselves?
Char says
Case closed! Thanks Rebecca.
Lauren Sparks says
Wonderful lessons for all of us as we tend to be our own worst critics. laurensparks.net
Monica says
Thank you so much for this post. It is a powerful article. You wrote it so well and touched on every intimate point that was key to anyone who is on a journey to learn to forgive and love themselves. I found it to be so helpful that I opened my journal and took notes on your entire blog entry. Char, can you please write more articles like this one? You are very gifted in reaching people who are stuck. You godly wisdom ( and OK… I know you are modest and are quick to give God his due glory😊)… has helped me so very much with this topic!! Thank you for reaching out to us all on this rarely talked about topic. Blessings!!!
Love,
Monica
Char says
Thanks for your encouragement Monica!!! Hugs!!
Monica B. says
You are a gifted writer!
Donna Reidland says
Thanks for hosting, Char. Hope you September is off to a good start!
Maree Dee says
I love what you wrote, “The journey will still exist no matter how you walk it out. Be kind to yourself Nurture who you are.
Char says
It’s true… so much of life depends on what’s going on in our heads and how we see ourselves.