A Practice for a Difficult Moment

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My mentor/teacher, Bill Gisclair-Sullivan, wrote a book called The Recipe Book of Life. He speaks of ingredients, but they have nothing to do with cooking. Instead, they refer to our thoughts, beliefs, practices, the way we speak, etc. It has touched me very deeply and I highly recommend it if you feel called to learn a little more about yourself. I want to share an excerpt from his book. I hope it touches you, too.

"Take a moment to pause. Bring to mind something you have been judging yourself for. Choose something real, but not overwhelming. It may be a mistake, an old pattern, a feeling, a reaction, a conversation, or a part of yourself you have been struggling to accept.

Notice what happens in the body when you bring it to mind. Is there tightness? Heat? Collapse? Numbness? A pressure in the chest? A sinking in the belly? A closing in the throat?

Now, place a hand on the heart, belly, or another place that feels safe and supportive. Name what is here. This is a moment of suffering, or This is hard, or Shame is here, or A part of me is hurting. Let the words be simple and true. Now remember common humanity.  I am not the only one who struggles. I am not the only one who makes mistakes. I am not the only one with old patterns. I am human.

Now offer yourself the ingredient; Loving-Kindness. May I meet this with compassion? May I take responsibility without shame? May I be gentle with the part of me that is hurting? May I learn what this moment is here to teach me? May I begin again?

Take a breath

Now ask: What is one loving and truthful next step? Not the perfect step. The next honest one. Maybe it's rest, maybe repair. Maybe journaling, maybe a boundary. Maybe asking for help. Maybe apologizing. Maybe forgiving yourself for not knowing what you know now. Maybe simply not attacking yourself for the next ten minutes.

Let that be enough."

With kindness for your body,

Amy ❤️