Some mornings, the first thing I hear isn’t an alarm, but a voice already disappointed in me. Before I even get out of bed, she’s there: “You should have done more yesterday.” “You’re already behind.” “Why can’t you get it together like everyone else?” When I catch my reflection, she notices every flaw before I can blink. When I try something new, she whispers that I’ll fail. When I succeed, she insists that it wasn’t enough to matter.
self-compassion
There is a darkness inside all of us that can wound others as well as ourselves. And, there is a light that we are afraid to show because we fear more pain. We let certain people only see one side of us because it feels safer than being whole. Whether we are a professional, family member, friend, or stranger, there are only parts of our hearts we feel we can show. We are not only afraid of our pride, envy, wrath, greed, lust, gluttony, or sloth, but we can equally be afraid of our tenderness, accountability, sincerity, and our ability to love with a full and honest heart.