Self-judgment is a particularly painful pastime for women. We judge ourselves with outdated tapes and messages. The inner critic is constantly badgering us with should and have to. Not to mention the frequent reminders: You can’t have what you want. You’re not good enough. How on earth do you think you can pull that off?
Would you repeat the inner judgments you say to yourself to someone you loved? We wouldn’t think of it. Yet, we beat ourselves up mentally and verbally until we are left exhausted, powerless, and immobilized. Self-criticism and judgment are debilitating habits. They break down our faith, erode self-esteem, and stir up feelings of shame.
Each of us is a divine being filled with beauty, love, and light. We are extraordinary individuals with unique talents, gifts, and abilities. Each of us has overcome obstacles, tackled tough problems, and accomplished courageous deeds. It’s up to us to acknowledge ourselves. It takes practice to be our own best friend and praise the good we’ve done. The more we focus on the good we see in ourselves, the more opportunities we attract and deepen in positive self-esteem.
As we release judgment of ourselves and those around us, we become aware of the exquisite beauty of nature around us. We begin to see ourselves as a temple for our living spirit and as a vessel to receive God’s love.
It’s time we acknowledge our beauty and accomplishments, accept our own compassion for being human, and celebrate our divinity. You would want that for your best friend, wouldn’t you?
[An excerpt from my new book Authentic Spirituality: A Woman’s Guide to Living an Empowered Life]