Self-worth vs. Self-esteem

Mindfulness Talk:

Close your eyes and imagine your body filled to the brim with breath.  Fruitful and overflowing with life-filling breath.  That is you.  That is the whole you.  

Our skin may get darker or lighter in nature’s seasons.  Our bellies may get softer or firmer in life’s seasons.  But you are, and forever will be, you.  You’ve seen the artwork of the older woman looking into a mirror and seeing her younger self.  It speaks to something deep within us.  Something that understands the concept of wholeness.  Science speaks of our atomic level, how we can’t be added to or subtracted from.  We are, and always will be, whole.

Mindfulness speaks of self-worth.  Not self-esteem, that rises and falls with the tides.  But self-worth.  The idea that when you mess up at life, your wholeness has not been subtracted.  When you achieve at something in life, your wholeness has not been added to.   You are worthy at all times because you are, at all times, whole. 

Now life isn’t always rosey.  Our self-esteem takes hits when we mess up, or when life messes us up. Our self-esteem tanks when we are not on our true path.  And that sucks.  It hurts.  It aches.  But if you close your eyes and use your imagination, you know the truth.  Your wholeness is there.  The fruitful and overflowing you is there, surrounding you or flowing deep inside.  You cannot be subtracted.  Ever.

Until next time,

Laura

Meditation

Finding Present Meditation: This meditation use sound bowls as our concentration. Here is a great one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhXDF8bmav8

As you concentrate on the sound, imagine yourself as a whole being. Imagine a glowy, shimmery being that is you. With each inhale and each exhale, focus on yourself as a whole, shimmery being.

Continue doing this meditation, or begin the mindfulness meditation.

Mindfulness Meditation:

Imagine your whole, shimmery self.

After a while, you may notice a thought or feeling or image pulling at some part of your being. Trying to subtracted you or take from you. It’s ok, just notice it. Notice how it tries to pull from you, but you are a shimmery being and pulling does nothing to you. Just notice. After a bit, it will give up and go away. Go back to imagining your whole, shimmery self.

After a while, you may notice another thought or feeling or image pulling or taking. Just notice. After a bit, it will go away. Go back to imagining your whole, shimmery self.

Closing Routine: When you are ready, rub your fingers and take three cleansing breaths. Or use a closing routine that works for you.