We can’t change the past. We can’t transform our parents into lovingly supporting us. If they have done their own work, that’s a bonus.

We ourselves can take on the job of extending empathy and supporting ourselves. We can stop the inner critic attacks.

We can learn to be consistently reliable and kind to ourselves. We can be the “good enough” parent we didn’t have.

Who can you invite to be on your side? To support and encourage you? To provide unconditional love and encouragement?

Visualize your inner nurturing community in a semi circle around you. They are kind and honest and supportive. They have your back.

Invite the inner critic into the circle. We are listening to your concerns. What is it I need to know? Why are you here?

I’m On My Own Side

What would have to change for this to be more true?

• Know who I am

• Nurture a connected, empathetic relationship with my mind, body and breath

• Stop shaming and criticizing myself so I can

• Respect, accept, and honor myself

If we all cultivated more kindness for ourselves, that would be a worthwhile practice in 2024.

What does my heart know?

What do I long for?

What is in the way that can move to completion?

I open my fists and let it go

What does my heart know?

As my mind quiets, I become more comfortable with the energy in my heart.

My adult self is present and supports traumatized parts that are still experiencing fear without trying to avoid or “fix”.

I come back to witness consciousness, present to myself, my whole body, breath, energy.

I rest in the heart and listen.

“The heart is the fourth chakra, not the seventh. It is the door to spiritual states. Our work is with the consciousness coming to bear in the heart, to be there with it, to bear witness.

We have the mind being quiet and we have the heart being a neat place to be.

Now you're ready to take your spiritual journey.” Michael Singer

When have you been most inspired? What are the circumstances when you feel more alive during and after than when you went in? 

It could be simple, like being in nature or meditating with friends. It could the inspiration of working toward what you believe with like minded people.