- Would you consider yourself compassionate or judgmental?
- Are you aware of how your actions or energy effect those around you?
- What recurring life lesson are you struggling with?
- Is your current life & relationships an accurate reflection of who you want to be/come?
As I say every year with the same shock and awe, “Whoa, 2015 has flown by!” The swift passage of time always makes me wonder if I’ve stopped long enough to breathe and savor moments, indulge in new experiences, and nurture relationships old and new. I wonder if I’ve learned the lessons created by my choices, or managed unexpected life changes with integrity, authenticity, and grace. The older I get, the more that stuff matters. Because, to me, life is a journey about getting closer and closer to my personal truth. And my most reliable tools for chiseling away at ego and affect and getting to my core essence are my collective experiences and relationships which reflect the glaring truth of who I am at any given moment.
Because I’ve been living on a private resort island for over a year, where there’s not much to do other than to pause and reflect, it feels like l’ve been staring at myself in the proverbial mirror and noticing every flaw, blemish, bulge, and jiggle. Magnified! But eventually self-criticism, judgement, and disappointment has turned into greater self-awareness, self-acceptance, and compassion. I’ve realized that my “flaws” are actually a source of beauty when I use them to enhance my character instead of trying to mask them, ignore them, or wallow in self-pity. I’ve also realized that if I let the years fly by without stopping to examine how my choices, experiences, and relationships are shaping my character, I’ll forever be disconnected from my true self. And I don’t want to waste time repeating the same painful lessons; moving from one unfulfilling relationship or experience to the next. My intention is to live a conscious life, full of personal growth.
That kind of self-awareness makes compassion for others inevitable. Because, when you can humbly recognize your own flaws and the amount of time, effort, and repeated mistakes it takes to evolve, you stop placing such unrealistic expectations on others. All you want to do is lift other people up and support them the best you can.
Indie Girl Diary: writing prompt
The most valuable life lesson I've learned this year is __________.
Indie Girl-Talk: let's chat!
Which of your "flaws" has been your greatest catalyst for growth? How have you evolved emotionally from it?
