Be Kinder to Yourself

There are so many times during the day that I feel like slapping my forehead and saying Duh! How could I have done something so stupid, or why did I do such and such.

I honestly believe that no one is harder on ourselves than us ourselves. Which leads me to today's blog. Be Kinder to Yourself. Life has so many struggles that it can heap onto us, lack of job, lack of relationship, lack of money and the list can go on and on, each unique to each person. We can look back and say boy did I mess up there, or why didn't I do what was better for me then. I know everyone does that, and we can't help doing it. That is how we learn from the mistakes that happen in our lives. But I think there has to be a better way to handle those issues. I know I tend to beat myself up - mentally - cussing at myself and just thinking how very stupid could I be. How did I get myself in this situation again, don't I ever learn or am I doomed to forever repeat the same mistakes?

I believe an important step to self empowerment is to realize and really take to heart that yes we will make mistakes and we will learn from them. But beating ourselves up about them serves no purpose whatsoever. It doesn't even make us feel better about what we have done. Sometimes we think that if we beat ourselves up enough that will make it all go away. But I am finding the opposite to be true. Instead of focusing on how wrong and dumb I was, if I am kinder to myself I find that I learn more of the lesson that was being taught to me. I honestly do not believe the Powers that Be really encourage self-flagellation, either physically or mentally.

Life on its own is rough, we have to find gentleness and caring wherever we can. Some of us are lucky and have a spouse or partner or friend that helps in that area. But if we feel really stupid even they can't help. It is up to us. As human beings we are special and good and do deserve the best that life has to offer. No, we won't all get the mansion and the Lamborghini but if we look for it and work for it, we will each have our own rewards. And a way to achieve that is to allow ourselves the mercy of be kinder to ourselves.

Kindness to others is important too, and yes it will come back to you, but sometimes each of us has to stop and say hey, its my turn now. So look within yourself and find your dark spots and use kindness to yourself to make those go away. When you are kind to yourself I bet you will also find it easier to be kinder to others. See, it all works out as a win-win situation. And what more could we ask for?