Receive

When it. comes to encouragement, it's always been way easier for me to give than it is for me to receive.

It's actually really uncomfortable for me.  In my life I've experienced a lot of "constructive criticism" 🙄 and not a whole lot of compliments.  that leads to a life a self criticism.  often when someone gives me a compliment I think "I wish I could see what you see" 

Lately I've been working on my self talk.  I try not to look in the mirror and find all things that are wrong.

I've also begun to really surround myself with people who see the best in everyone and who don't rescue, but they support.  I see the strength in vulnerability because people don't feel weak, they feel like they can build to take next steps.  WOW!  what a perspective change.

Quite a few years ago a life coach (who masked herself as a therapist - they are not the same!) gave me an exercise to speak life over myself and change my perspective.  It was hard. I cried a lot during the daily exercise but soon I began to believe more in myself.

One time I gave someone encouragement and their response was "thank you, I receive that".  What a beautiful response.  I've started to say that, and every time I say it I believe it a little more. Today I said it and I got a little misty.  I often do when I say it, changing my perspective.  

I often say "I'm a lot but not too much".  I will always have something I need to work on but that doesn't mean that I'm bad or worthless, it means I need a little refining. 💓. I love to learn and I love to grow.

I am embarking on a new adventure (more to come!) and I am looking at accepting myself, learning, and growing.  

I hope to feel as free in the every day as I felt in this picture.