Compassionate Self-Awareness

It is inner work. Being more aware of my thoughts, feelings, behaviors, the subjective assumptions, patterns, and beliefs that drive my choices. What I value and what brings meaning and purpose to my life. How to care for me emotionally, mentally, financially and physically. How to create the life and the relationships I truly desire.

Begin this journey with your relationship with yourself. The reward would be a life lived with a deep sense of meaning, inner confidence, and calmness, compassion, connection, and empowerment.

Self-compassion is the most radically transformative practice I use. It helped me cope with many of the difficulties I’ve faced, ranging from the everyday challenges, not being my best in relationships, feeling overwhelmed by all I have to do in a day to larger problems like financial struggles, relationship breakdowns and the loss of loved ones. It helped me become kinder and more compassionate not just with myself but also with others. In fact, I don’t know of any other practice that changed me so much. One of the changes is being able to turn harsh self-talk into kind self-talk even when I’m experiencing nervousness and fear. I push away thoughts of making mistakes, debates about being good enough at a certain task or wondering what everyone will think about me.

I tell myself that is all right if I make mistakes. In fact, I would definitely make mistakes, and it would be ok. How I am feeling is normal and appropriate as I venture into something new for myself. Also, what anybody else thinks of me isn’t any of my business, and this is the reason why I’ve surrounded myself with wonderful, supportive, conscious people.

My self-compassion practice has helped me through my fears and insecurities and kept me on track with fronting up for the inevitable challenges of a meaningful life. I can’t think of any other self-help that has supported me more than self-compassion.

Love,

Carmen Monica