
There is something to envy in the nakedness of trees. An unabashed, shamelessness. They are as they are, in whatever season they occupy. Each has its own distinct beauty, regardless of time or age.
We are like trees…
Except that we are thinking things consistently under threat from a manufactured world that can make us blind to our own beauty. Other experiences, mostly manicured, are marched before the eye via all forms of media. They often appear fuller, more beautiful and impactful than our own, even if we know better. A steady diet of such media does little for the soul and tends to enhance a sense of meaninglessness and destructive internal dialogue.
“I’m not good enough…I’m not doing enough…I’m not enough…”
Self destructive, loathsome internal dialogue. We wouldn’t think of treating a friend or a loved one the way we treat ourselves. Yet it’s so common to be kind to the world, but unkind to oneself. We let outside sources communicate to us who we aspire to be and we abide.
The simplest remedy for negative internal dialogue is to disengage from sources that reinforce it in ways that enable us to see our self worth. To take time to meditate on our abilities, identify our gifts, and recognize we exist to contribute something meaningful and profound to life. When the world creeps in and we start to feel inferior, it is important to stand up for oneself and acknowledge the profundity and uniqueness of life. Even the simplest actions we engage in during our lifetime are meaningful and profound in ways we may never know. Have faith…
You. Are. Enough.
Try this to retrain negative internal dialogue: refuse to be apologetic. Try listing a few:
I will not apologize for my life experiences, good or bad.
I will not apologize for the way I look.
I will not apologize for aging.
I will not apologize for the way I feel.
I will not apologize for my anger.
I will not apologize for my flaws.
I will not apologize for my opinions.
I will not apologize for my faith.
I will not apologize, for I AM ENOUGH.
And you are, Dear Reader. You are enough. I am enough. And we do not need the approval or affirmation of an outside world to believe it or live it.
Let’s be like trees, unabashed and shameless in the nakedness of our individuality. We are each beautiful and profound, in every season.
Rock on…
*Image courtesy of: http://www.womenlivingwellafter50.com*