Practicing Self-Compassion - Jane's Mindful Musings

Practicing Self-Compassion - Jane's Mindful Musings

Jane Witherspoon is a Canadian expat adventurer, yoga instructor and passionate rambler who recently relocated from Panama to Denia, Spain. 
 
I intended to discuss a different topic in this musing, but I changed my mind while planning my weekly yoga classes. The intention I set for my classes this week resonated with me so strongly that I decided to share it with all of you. Often, an intention that speaks to me powerfully like this reflects my own struggles in life.

Most of us are not very compassionate with ourselves. We have difficulty embracing all parts of who we are, judging the unwanted parts, our imperfections, and our perceived shortcomings harshly. The human condition is complicated, and none of us are flawless. We all know this, yet most of us self-criticize our imperfections. We judge ourselves, and find ourselves wanting, especially in how we look, and choose to live our lives.

I believe that women are more susceptible to self-criticism, especially regarding their appearance and feelings of inadequateness. Our culture celebrates the young, and those who are self-assured and self-confident.

But here's the thing: self-confidence can make you feel better about your abilities, but self-compassion, more importantly, will make you feel better about yourself. I belief that self-compassion, even more than confidence, has the power to positively change our lives.

Self-compassion encourages us to turn inward and recognize our flaws and limitations, prompting a self-reflection that acceptingly acknowledges who we are. It makes us more self-aware and enables us to lovingly and honestly review all parts of ourselves, including those we resist examining and shy away from accepting.

When we sit with this idea and learn to practice self-compassion, we recognize our unconditional value and worth. This is not always an easy path to take, and I struggle with being compassionate with myself. But, self-compassion enables me to confront memories and events I resist taking responsibility for. It allows me to accept who I am and my limitations and be kinder when evaluating my appearance and aging body.

Accepting that there is no such thing as perfection, that we all make bad decisions in our lives, and that nobody's body is perfect is part of being human in all its messiness.

We all change as we move through life, not only our mindset but also in our physical bodies. But if we open ourselves up to self-compassion, we can choose to find forgiveness and acceptance.

And so, my Sole Sisters, as you ramble through your week, I urge you to practice self-compassion and embrace every part of what makes you who you are.
The truth is: Belonging starts with self-acceptance.
Your level of belonging, in fact, can never be greater
than your level of self-acceptance, because believing
that you’re enough is what gives you the courage
to be authentic, vulnerable and imperfect. - Brene Brown

Compassion isn’t some kind of self-improvement
project or ideal that we’re trying to live up to.
Having compassion starts and ends with having
compassion for all those unwanted parts of
ourselves, all those imperfections that we
don’t even want to look at. - Pema Chodron


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