I respect the inherent dignity of all people.
I have given a lot of thought in recent days to my personal moral philosophy. I came up with a bombshell... I don't really respect MY inherent dignity as a human being; at least not 100% of the time. I'd say I'm around 50% most days. If I did, I'd take better care of my body, I wouldn't talk trash to myself, and I'd put my personal needs first more often.
I'm not alone in this. Plenty of people say things to themselves that they'd NEVER say to their best friend. Yesterday I was looking at a photo from 3 years ago (pre-divorce, pre-COVID, pre-menopause) and I caught myself saying terrible things in my head. I'm going to counter those thoughts right now:
Stop it! That was a very different time in your life. You had a big cheering squad supporting you, who told you how they admired you for the time and effort you put in to get healthy and heal your injured back and hip. You just survived a very stressful period in your life. Divorce after 32 years in a huge upheaval. We all just went through more than a year of existential fear. Simply breathing the air could kill you. Give yourself a break if exercise wasn't your #1 priority. We are only just returning to something resembling "normal". You cannot pick up where you left off. Start where you are at. No one is keeping score.
Today, I'm going to respect my body. I'm going to hop back on my beloved Peloton bike. I'm going to start the new "Build Your Power Zones" program. It's 3 days/week. I have planned a walk with a friend for Saturday morning.
“If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete.”
― Buddha's Little Instruction Book
Good positive thought-correction going on there, Laura! Yes, self-compassion is not the same as self-centeredness or selfishness. It's giving oneself permission to be human and gently grow better! THAT, I think we can commit to! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteThis afternoon I was on the phone with a friend/colleague. He and I were correcting some documents together. Every time he made a typo he called himself names. "Whoa! Don't say that. You aren't stupid. You are human." He grumbled. I insisted. He admitted that he was human, but he'd like to make fewer mistakes. I'm not sure if that was progress for him. It helped me to see the times when I do that to myself.
Delete<3 Like it!
DeleteYou are not alone in this. Let’s be kind to ourselves today.
ReplyDeleteWe all have to learn to be kind to ourselves as well as others.
ReplyDeletePutting others first was drilled into me (72) as a female and product of Parochial schools. Difficult, but not impossible, to turn this around is one of my current mantras. I've always enjoyed your thought-provoking blogs.
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