Day 87 - A Year to Clear - You Are Enough

Photo by Sorin Sîrbu on Unsplash

Photo by Sorin Sîrbu on Unsplash

Lesson 87: You Are Enough

We do not have to improve ourselves, we just have to let go of what blocks our heart.
— Jack Kornfield

Today is about really accepting yourself just the way you are. We do not need to improve ourselves. We are perfect in our imperfection. People think changing themselves is an answer but it’s more about discovering your true self. When we are ready, we will know that there is some time for growth but you definitely are not changing yourself, you’re just expanding yourself further. No matter what experiences you’ve been through, no matter what has rocked you to the core, those experiences have definitely come to shape who you are. You may view yourself as needing to be fixed but that’s not necessary – no one needs fixing. We just simply grow from those experiences and then we create our own story. If we could view everyone in this way, think about how accepting and tolerant we would be for all people. Everyone has a story that we don’t know about and each person on their journey is continuously expanding. Who are we to judge another? If we can hold this view upon ourselves, imagine what it would be like to hold this view on others. Accept that no one needs fixing but are at different stages of life.

Day 86 - A Year to Clear - Softening Attitudes

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Lesson 86: Softening Attitudes

Stephanie Bennett Vogt talks about four sets of phrases in her book “Your Spacious Self” which promotes “softening attitudes”. I have not read the book myself so do not know what it entails but my understanding is about taking an understanding approach to one’s self, really being aware and applying compassion whilst being truly empathetic and expanding our thought processes in creating our spacious selves. This week’s concept of “Enough” is the start of these four phrases and the first question asked is “What is a thought or belief that you have around scarcity that you'd like to "soften" and release?”


I don’t have the same thoughts as I used to when it comes to possessions. I always thought I didn’t have enough because that seems to be the consumerist way we’ve been conditioned to think - “Oh I need that dress” “Oh I must have all those lipsticks” etc. We always seem to think what we have is scarce when we really have a lot in our lives and should live with more gratitude. I don’t believe I need to release any beliefs around my lack thereof. I know I have enough in my life and in fact I think I have so much good things happening in my life that it’s like I have enough and so much more.

I think we’ve all fallen into the trap into thinking we don’t have enough but it’s a real self-awareness to come to the conclusion that we have so much! We have loving and supporting family or friends, we have enough food on our tables, we have money to buy the clothes on our backs, we have clean water…. The lists go one really. Take a moment to really take on gratitude and try thinking about what we have good going on in our lives.

Day 86 - A Year of Spiritual Awakening - How Can You Feel Compassion...

Photo by Lina Trochez on Unsplash

Photo by Lina Trochez on Unsplash

Lesson 86: How can you feel compassion...

The compassion we hold for others can definitely be applied to ourselves. Today’s exercise is all about closing your eyes and really thinking about past mistakes, grief, shadows etc. There is no reason why you can’t hold the same compassion that you hold for others.

I feel like I have really opened myself to my own compassion as I’ve started this spiritual journey. Whether I realised it or not, I feel like I’ve really accepted past trauma that has plagued me for months and years. Yes, I had the help of hypnotherapy also but even before I decided to take that step, I really looked at past events that really swamp my mind of negative thoughts and worked through them. I approach myself with compassion because you make decisions that sometimes turn out right, whilst other times just turn your world upside down. I guess that’s all about being human. You can’t really know the impact of a decision until you’ve gone through it.

There have been some poor decisions I’ve made, but I’ve come to know that it’s all lessons in the wheel of life. At the time I may not have understood what was happening and there may have been turmoil, but in reality after some time and reflection, you start to learn how strong you can be in overcoming some hard situations and poor decisions. No one has a manual on life, so just go with what comes even when it seems like everything is in disarray. There are always ways to forgive yourself and move on.

Day 85 - A Year of Spirituality - In the Second Passage...

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Lesson 85: In the Second Passage...

Still focusing on the second passage of compassion, we need to not only have compassion for others but definitely need it for ourselves. There is no greater way to love others until you love yourself. Not easily done by some and it cane really take some time. I think when people focus on themselves, it’s really the right steps in getting some real self-love and care. Today’s lesson is all about writing about how you love yourself.

I must admit, I didn’t always love myself and I think we sometimes fall, even when we focus on ourselves. That’s totally okay in my opinion. As long as you can pick yourself back up again. Sometimes it’s just about paying yourself compliments like,” I really love my hair today” “I look really good in this outfit”. Whatever it is, just go with it.

I really love my life at the moment. I feel that everything is finally falling into place and synchronicities are taking place. The signs are there and it’s about recognising them and following them. I really love the tracks I’m making on different areas and goals. I like the efforts I’m making in building myself into a healthier and truer version of myself. I love that I’m achieving more than I ever have and comfortable in myself in seeking out what I want in life. I got a good head on my shoulders and feeling good in the direction I’m going. The only way is up and I’m going to get to the top!

Day 85 - A Year to Clear - Enough

Photo by Paul Gilmore on Unsplash

Photo by Paul Gilmore on Unsplash

Lesson 85: Enough

I am enough, I have enough. There is enough.—Your Spacious Self
— Stephanie Bennett Vogt

New week equals a new theme and this week’s is “Being Enough”.

 

Repeat the phrases and notice how you’re feeling. Repeating those phrases really takes some time to sink in… and maybe for some it won’t sink in at all. There is really a major shift in your thinking especially how you view yourself. There is a lot of self-acceptance which not everyone can achieve until they truly believe that about themselves.

I definitely think that I have enough possessions. Not only that but I have a lot/enough in life – friends, money, a home etc. I know that a lot of people live with a lot less so I am grateful for what I have.

In terms of there being enough, I think this is about appreciating the small things in life. Not everything has to be a grand gesture. Value the things you have but also the people around you because you will find that you truly have enough.