In just eight days I will be 66 years old. While I cannot wrap my mind around this number of years that have passed since my birth at the Retreat for the Sick Hospital in Richmond, Va., I do have a lot of experience to look back upon. One of the things that stands out the most is the person whom I believe to be the absolute most responsible for me failing to reach the potential that I was capable of achieving. There are a host of persons, circumstances, or other things at which I am tempted to point my finger. There are so many I feel have failed to be the support I needed. And, yes, there are those I should have been able to count on who failed me.
However, the one who has failed to be the friend and support that I have needed the most is … me.
As I look back over my life I know how much I have tried to be a supporter and encourager of others who were going through difficult times. I have so tried to get others to forgive themselves of mistakes, shortcomings, and unwise attitudes.
But, when it comes to conversations with myself over these same things, the only thing I could tell myself is, “What a screwed up piece of shit you are.”
The sad thing about this is there are many friends who have tried to encourage me as to the good I have done. But, because of what I was telling myself, I was not able to believe any of it. The voice of myself to myself was saying either, “They are not being honest with you,” or, “If they knew the real me there is no way they would say this.”
Can you identify? Am I describing you as well as myself?
You and I deserve and desperately need so much more from ourselves. Can we commit with each other to try to be the friend to ourselves that we try to be to others? I believe in you. I am going to try to be the encourager to myself that I want to be to you. I hope you, also, can be that friend to yourself. You DO need and deserve it. You cannot be the friend you want to be to others if you cannot be that friend to yourself.
Please do not mistake this for a plea for you to encourage me at this time. It is not. I truly am not wanting those of you who know me to respond with an encouraging word. This post is offered to those who may struggle with the same problem I have. It is an encouragement to you to be kind and encouraging to yourself.
Be your own best friend.
Think about it.
You are loved. Peace.
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