This past weekend was Thanksgiving in Canada.
I took the opportunity to do some deep, personal soul searching and I realized that even though I teach self-compassion to others, I could stand to get better at giving myself some gentle, loving compassion.
If you’re like me, you probably find it really easy to give thanks and to be grateful for all kinds of things; family, friends, your health, your home, your children, fur-babies, etc.
But have you noticed, this gratitude is external to you?
When was the last time you were grateful for YOU?
When was the last time you made a list of the things you’re proud of about you? Your accomplishments. Your skills. Your talents and traits.
What about the characteristics that make you YOU-niquely YOU!?
This is a task that I give to many clients for homework. This is a positive inventory exercise, where you take stock of the things that you value and appreciate about yourself.
In my Spiritual Life Coach training I was taught, I can’t give homework to someone else, if I’m not willing to do it myself, so here I go…….
I AM ……..
Grateful for my tenacity.
Proud of my ability to get through tough times.
Proud to say that I am letting go of comparing myself to others.
Grateful for my ability to accept help from others.
Proud of myself for feeling fear and taking a risk anyway.
Proud of myself for practising what I teach.
Grateful for my ability to take my hardships and turn them into strengths and lessons.
There are a few more for this list, but I’m going to keep them private.
Whether you were celebrating Thanksgiving this past weekend or not, go ahead and take 10-minutes to write yourself a positive inventory of the things you’re proud of, grateful for, or love and appreciate about you. This is true self-compassion.
It is not enough to just think about it. You have to write out the list. I’m feeling better already, just writing my list in this blog.
It’s ok to love yourself.
In fact, it’s necessary.
When you give yourself words of encouragement, something magical happens. You will require less of it from others. Self-compassion and self-gratitude builds grit, resilience and makes you unstoppable. Getting gratitude from others feels good, but self-compassion makes it, so you won’t need to look for nor require anyone else’s permission or approval. It’s nice to get, but not necessary.
Try the positive inventory and let me know how it works for you.
Happy belated Thanksgiving.
PS: I am grateful for YOU.
Namaste,
Tammy