Do these contemplations sound familiar? We have high expectations of others. Still, the greatest burden of expectations are those we carry ourselves. If only I were more this and less that. The self-improvement project list is endless.
If you’ve followed my writing long enough, you’ll know I love to mention self-compassion wherever, whenever I can. But there is a particular flavor of self-compassion I want you to taste with this post – self-forgiveness.
What if you could soothe every explosive thought of inadequacy, every sharp look of disapproval, every distorted perception of a problem with a kind gesture, a pledge of forgiveness? What if you could place both hands on your heart and silently whisper the words forgiven, forgiven to yourself (a practice often taught by Tara Brach), and gently take yourself off the hook of crucifixion?
Remember
Knock on the door to your heart
A secret garden awaits you
plump red strawberries
and wild fragrant jasmine
a swing where you can fly
kiss the breeze and
tickle the sun with your toes
Whoever said there’s no such thing
as magic never knew about the door
how it can open when you need it most
invite you to play, to rest
to remember the child within
how she wears a crown of petals
and dances with the wind
What if you could go back to a time where things were less complicated, where innocence and freedom gave you permission to play, to rest? What if there is a secret garden inside us all? May you knock on the door to your heart. May the words forgiven, forgiven greet you as you remember the child within, how she wears a crown of petals and dances with the wind.