Happy Saturday !

“You’re allowed to be both a masterpiece and work in progress simultaneously.” – Sophia Bush

The paradox of self-acceptance. Finding a way to mentally balance being the masterpiece, the original, the 1 of 1 art piece that you are, and still feeling a sense that things could always be better. Often there is so much disappointment in past decisions we’ve made, it feels impossible to accept ourselves as is.  

The inner critic always arrives right on time. “If you didn’t quit your job, leave that relationship, gain 20lbs, or hire that person, everything would be different, perhaps for the better.” We constantly replay events in our head wishing we would have acted differently.

Acceptance is embracing yourself as is. You are human, and you are also the only version of human that has ever existed or will exist. There will never be another YOU again! Ever. Take a moment and sit with this…

If you don’t accept you, no one else truly can. All of the qualities that make you strong, gifted, special- along with all of the features that are so called flawed, quirky, unique, strange, and valuable….it’s what masterpieces are made of. According to artandjournal.com, “To create masterpieces (artistically), you need to work hard and create as much art as you can…When we see a masterpiece, we forget the artist and instead focus on the work of the artist.” Focus and celebrate the work you are doing on yourself, and the beauty of your imperfections versus the end product or goal. 

Accepting yourself means treating yourself as a valid, whole being.  Focus on embracing your thoughts, feelings, memories, bodily sensations and release experiences that are out of your control. Tell yourself it’s okay to be where you are and feel the things you feel. Acceptance requires self-validation and having the courage to embrace shortcomings without judgment, but simply as information.  

I offer you to think about the things you may not like about yourself, and allow it to be a motivator.  Disconnect from the story in your head that this is what an ideal person would do in a situation, replace the judgment of that ideal person with love of the masterpiece you are. Yes, we are all working to continually self-improve and become better versions of ourselves, but not at the cost of hating oneself. Better means a continuous, growth mindset.  Seek opportunities for the more authentic version of yourself to be freed. It begins with turning the volume up on the voice that matters, yours.

If you are interested, I offer an Energy Leader Index assessment to help you in your self-acceptance journey.  The purpose of the assessment is to identify what set of filters you have developed over your lifetime that's limiting your beliefs. These limiting beliefs, assumptions, and or interpretations about your life are often not "real".  We then work to apply new thoughts that help to release internal barriers by recognizing the judgmental thoughts that are holding you back. 

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