I had a moment of self doubt the other day that I voiced to my
workout buddy in the locker room after our 6am swim: sometimes I feel like I am just
too much.
Sometimes I almost want to apologize to people for being me. And it's not really the bad things that I want to apologize for, it's the good things. I realize this is a little crazy (and I consider myself to be a fairly secure person), but I think most of us have been there at one point or another.
Later that morning I received a very affirming text from said workout buddy.
A couple hours later, I spotted this
tweet:
@iancron It's national self-compassion day. You're okay, really.
And after that, I spotted this
blog post from one of my favorite bloggers. Sarah of
Yes and Yes fame {
because yes is more fun than no!} actually went as far as to list out 10 things she appreciated about herself.
Spotlight, anyone?
Theresa and I talked about this idea later on that evening over a couple of
martinis, and we decided that maybe more self love was in order.
Our favorite Holy Yoga teacher pointed out to us a few weeks ago in class that we are to love our neighbors
as we love ourselves (Mark 20:30-31). Loving others is important, obviously, but before we can love on others, we have to first love ourselves, and love ourselves well.
I'm not talking about bragging here or needlessly tooting your own horn. I'm talking about appreciating the things that make you different, the things that you are
extra good at, the unique qualities and talents that God has gifted you with.
In the spirit of self-compassion and of celebrating the good in each of us,
Theresa challenged me to put myself out there and write this post (she also wrote her post
here). We hope this encourages YOU to contemplate your own special awesome-ness and to allow your light to shine that much brighter.
{10 things I love about myself}
1. I'm half-full.
There's a reason why my friends call me Half-Full Kt. I'm quick to chime in with the good in a situation or the upside or the "it could be worse..." comment. Sure, sometimes people want to sock me, but I think mostly, overall, they appreciate my sunny disposition.
2. I see the good in others.
This goes hand in hand with being half-full. I can most always see the good in people around me, even the ones that kind of irk me. Everyone has a mother. Everyone was created in the image of the Creator himself. And we all have a story to tell, a story that has shaped us and made us who we are. Yes, even that angry driver in the Hobby Lobby parking lot who is shaking her fist at you was once a child. And she is probably, currently, fighting a hard battle.
3. I'm a good leader (when I need to be).
I am what they call a "reluctant leader". I by no means need to be in charge, but when the teacher asks for the fourth time for a volunteer to be Room Mom or when we desperately needs to get a Girls' Shopping Day date on the calendar, I'm your gal. And once I am in charge, I'm organized and diplomatic.
4. I'm smart.
When this comes up, I almost always downplay it. You see, I come from very smart stock (Have you met my parents? Or my brother?? I know...I'm doing it again). But the truth of the matter is I am
4.0-Wyoming-Park-Class-of-'97-Valedictorian, 29-on-my-ACT's, Hope-College-summa-cum-laude, I-can-kick-my-friends'-tails-at-Smart-Ass smart.
4. I'm funny.
I don't have a stand-up career in my future, but I do pride myself in witty remarks, intelligent humor, and playing off of inside jokes. Ask any of my friends, and I'm sure they'll tell you. I'm h-i-l-a-r-i-o-u-s.
5. I'm generous.
The truth is I find giving to be really fun. I'm not one to give just anything to just anyone. The real joy (and my specialty) is finding a person who needs a certain thing and matching that with something that I am (often uniquely) able to give. If God loves a cheerful giver then I'm his girl.
6.
I'm a beaver.
If you haven't read it,
The Treasure Tree is a must-read for kids and parents alike. I identify strongly with the
beaver character in the book. He is analytical, self-disciplined, industrious, and organized. I very much appreciate my lion, golden retriever, and otter friends, but I really do love being a beaver. I wouldn't have it any other way.
7. I'm not a worrier.
I generally trust that most things will work themselves out, and I tend to believe Jesus when he says, "Do not worry about tomorrow." (Matthew 6:34) My logical {beaver} self is able to talk myself out of worrying, and I've saved myself a lot of needless stress and anxiety this way.
8. I gather friends like it's a full-time job.
I have to smile when Dylan's 1st grade teacher tells me that when she asked the class to write down three of their friends' names on a piece of paper, almost every single child wrote Dylan's name down. He's not the most out-going kid or the most dynamic, but he is kind and caring and when he's with a friend he makes them feel important. I smile because I know that this is how I am. I am able to mesh with many types of people and make others feel welcome. I am thoughtful, helpful, and caring. I realize it is a gift to be able to make and maintain all different types of friendships.
9.
I'm getting better with age.
I'm telling you, life begins at 32. I feel stronger, wiser, and more fun than ever. Besides an occasional grey hair, I'm aging surprisingly well. I can only imagine how awesome my golden years will be. Watch out, world!
10.
I have the ability to inspire others.
I really don't mean to, but if had a nickel for every
thanks-for-sharing-what-you've-been-up-to message, email, or comment that I have received, I'd probably have, like, 50 cents or something (
see #4. I told you.) But seriously, I love sharing, I love
encouraging, and I love helping others move forward.
That's my ten. What are yours? Take some time today to celebrate yourself, love yourself, and stop hiding yourself. You're the only you there is.
Closing thought:
“I celebrate myself," the poet Walt Whitman wrote.
The thought is so delicious it is almost obscene. Imagine the joy that would come with celebrating the self — our achievements, our experiences, our existence. Imagine what it would be like to look into the mirror and say, as God taught us, "That's good.”
― Joan D. Chittister, Light in the Darkness
