If you had a friend who spoke to you in the same way
that you sometimes speak to yourself,
how long would you allow that person
to be your friend?
I admit that I catch myself in that negative self-talk cycle. “Why did I do that? What the heck is wrong with me?”
What’s worse is when it goes on for minutes and I don’t catch myself.
Eckhart Tolle urges us to be in the “now.” Buddhism calls it being mindful. However you choose to look at where you should be in each moment, where are you exactly?
Are you off in the future anticipating that plan, that great dream of yours?
Are you visiting your past, beating yourself up for having said something unkind to someone?
Or worse. Stuck in the past because someone said something unkind to you?
It has been said that each time you replay some hurtful scene from your past, you are allowing it to happen to you all over again. You are allowing that person to hurt you again…and again…and again.
Every single time you think about it, that’s what is happening.
If someone has done something to you that was hurtful, don’t replay it in your mind. Don’t live through that pain again. Your body doesn’t really like it, and you know your mind doesn’t like it either.
Be kind to yourself today, right now, in this moment.
Because, in this exact moment, there is peacefulness and you are perfect just as you are.
__
The I Am 
Beautiful and inspirational. Thank you for this post.
LikeLike
You’re welcome, Shawn.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great wisdom to share, Michael. One of the reasons I chose to help people as a coach rather than a therapist or counselor is that coaching focuses on the present moment and finding paths in which to move people forward, not dwelling in or on the past. Always be in the ‘now’ and explore new, positive possibilities. You’re sharing the very message that many need to heed and seriously consider. Thank you!
LikeLike
Yours is a wonderful position, Eric. There’s little that’s more rewarding than showing people there is peacefulness and happiness already within themselves. They just need the mental tools to tap into it, and life becomes boundless. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks for adding clarification and depth to what you and I (as well as others) believe and advocate, Michael. I didn’t mean for my comment to promote what I do professionally. Please pardon my having done so on your inspiring blog!
LikeLike
No apologies, Eric. We all bring our knowledge and experience to life; everything we do in our own life can be an aid for others. I took no offense whatsoever. 🙂
LikeLike
Amazing post !
LikeLike
Thank you, Sonu!
LikeLike
Wow, I’m really going to start to try and take your advice. I really am a bad friend to myself. Borderline abusive. I need to change and stop being so toxic and beating myself up for being human and live NOW caz NOW nothing wrong has happened.
LikeLike
We all do that at some point. Developing a habit–and it’s a good one–of catching ourselves talking that way is a good place to start. That begins with being the observer to our thoughts. We should just watch our thoughts. If we do this enough, it becomes a habit, then we can start intervening and change the course of them.
Thanks for your comment. 🙂
LikeLike
No problem and thank you for your response. 🙂
LikeLike
Living in the now, but still dealing with the resistance piece, moving towards acceptance as quickly as one can. 🙂
LikeLike
I’m there with you, Eliza. 🙂
LikeLike
In my previous unhappy life perfection was my goal. Thankfully those days are in my rear view mirror. Now I strive for excellence which is attainable. Perfection is not. Have a great day Michael!
LikeLike
Thank you, Rita, for making that wonderful point. Perfection certainly is unattainable and only comes with disappointment. Have a grand week! 🙂
LikeLike
A really thought provoking post Michael.. I have time travelled often to the future and revisited the past.. and yes have chastised and nagged myself until I was feeling even bluer.. LOL
But having woken up to the damage I was doing to myself some years ago.. I now try my very best to live within my Now.. I catch myself sometimes backsliding.. mainly as I get embroiled within emotions… I guess I wouldn’t be upon my Earth Walk if I were perfect..
But Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of NOW is a wonderful book, Its on my bookself and I enjoyed his wisdom, and love his Youtube talks too.. 🙂
After all we can not change the past. And we can not live worrying about the future.. If we do we forget to enjoy the Gift of NOW.. which is why it is the Present.. 🙂
Wishing you a perfect Weekend..
Sue
LikeLike
Thank you, Sue. We all seem to fall prey to our unwanted thoughts from time to time. It just takes a bit of now-ness to catch the mind in action and stop them.
As always, thanks for sharing your wisdom. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
_/\_ no thank You! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Women Who Think Too Much by Jeanne Marie and commented:
This is so true…
LikeLike
Thank you for the reblog! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure. I enjoy your writing! I don’t get there often enough!
LikeLike
Reblogged this on hessiafae's Blog and commented:
Fantastic blog post. Food for thought.
LikeLike
Thank you for the reblog! 🙂
LikeLike
Wonderful words about kindness!
LikeLike
Thank you, Christy. 🙂
LikeLike
Nice post Michael! Full of truth. Thanks, for reminding us to be kinder to ourselves. 🙂
LikeLike
You’re welcome, Cheryl.
Have a beautiful weekend. 🙂
LikeLike
Hey there,
I started doing this activity a few days ago and the consequence was inner peace and strengthened power. Thankyou for writing this post.
LikeLike
You’re welcome, Nishita. And thank you. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 Smiling.
LikeLike