Self Care Series: Part 3- "Hey, That's My Friend You are Talking About"

      A good friend of mine has an expression she uses when someone she cares about is putting themselves down.  In the middle of a friend's self-deprecating rant, she will pause look her friend in the eyes and say, "Hey, watch it, that's my friend you're talking about there!"   On the few times that look has come my way, it has been such an eye opener for the ability we have to be incredibly harsh on ourselves. 
    Many of us like to take good care of the people we love; listening to them, validating their concerns, being a good cheerleader for their ideas.  How much of that do we give ourselves? 

    The answer I hear most often is a sheepish, "Not very often".  What would it look like to offer ourselves a little good tiding and praise for what we ARE doing well rather than the myriad ways we perceive we are falling short?  It can be challenging to be kind to ourselves when we are so used to holding the bar in a position we know is not attainable.  Wow... imagine living one day where we felt like what we are doing and who we are being is good enough....sounds wonderful.

    So here is the challenge today (it sounds simple but can be a little difficult if we don't do it often):

    What is one nice thing you can tell yourself today so that you feel like you are doing a good job or that you are simply good enough?

    Tell yourself that idea as many times today as you feel like it.  When any other voices (the ones with the impossible bar to reach) creep up...tell them quietly, "not now."  They will get their airtime, but for this moment, try to bask in that supportive comment you are giving yourself.

  What is it like if for one day we allow ourselves to reach the bar we have set before ourselves?

   Enjoy this day  knowing that you are fabulous and that you deserve to be treated so well!  And remember....that is someone's friend you are talking about!