Nurture, Not Neglect

"Almost everything will work again, if you unplug 

it for a few minutes, including you."

Anne Lamont

If our car starts sputtering, we give it more gas. When our plants begin to wilt, we lovingly add water. When batteries run low, they are recharged. Common sense tells us that in order for things to work, they need to be tended to and if we desire a higher expectation, nurturing does the trick.

So why is it on a personal level, we procrastinate when it comes to self-care. We put off daily maintenance and reschedule appointments that would give us a boost. We falsely tell our lovely selves that some activities are too extravagant but will go overboard in spending to lift the spirits of others.

When we believe we are unworthy, consider that science proves that we perform better if we rest and restore. If we honestly desire to help others, then we must first help ourselves. Life is chaotic and time to feed the soul needs to be scheduled. The more we respect ourselves, the healthier, happier, and productive we become.

  

 

Fear of Self-Discovery

"Your problem is how you are going to spend this one and precious life you have been issued.  Whether you're going to spend it trying to look good and creating the illusion that you have power over circumstances, or whether you are going to taste it, enjoy it and find out truth about who you are."

***Anne Lamott


Who are we really?  No, really ...  who are we behind our facade of creative masks and false projections?  Beneath our costumes are even more layers of stories we tell ourselves, and false histories warped by time.  We have spent endless hours, days, weeks, and years trying to create an acceptable image to ourselves and to others.

This is a worthless endeavor and we grow discontent with who we are not.  The fear of self-discovery becomes more palpable than the strife of pretending.  It is with relief we drop our created disguises and open our heart to compassionate acceptance of imperfection.

It is when we finally let go of our misguided intention to control we receive freedom to be comfortable allowing life to unfold.  Delightfully, we discover an inner guidance shedding the old and welcoming the truth.  We find the comfort to just be who we are ... a spirit experiencing human life form.

***Anne Lamott is one of my favorite authors.  She consistently reflects the truth of life as it is experienced in authentic ways.  She has shared her challenges and has been a beacon of hope.  She never sugar coats anything, and this is why she connects with her readers.  Through her expression of truth, her followers are not fed false glimpses of life nor encouraged with illusions.