Tag: compassion

Acceptance of self and situations equals freedom inside self

What often confines the suffering in life?

It is usually the choice or lack of choice to stay immersed in the identity of the suffering.

Staying immersed in the identity of the suffering often leads to self judgement and other survival strategies that take away the freedom to exist in what is being experienced.

It develops into a continual pattern of suffering with no escape.

Isolated thinking occurs and the pain is ignored or pushed away. Shame and guilt take over to mask the continual thoughts that are perpetuating in their own biosphere.

Something that helps release the shame and guilt

An inner giving of freedom starts with self compassion.

Self compassion is a practice of acceptance. Accepting self and acceptance of situations is essential to let go of the thoughts, “I am the suffering” as opposed to “I am suffering.” Do these two thoughts seem different in what you might experience?

Self Compassion assists in relieving the intensities of anxiety and depression.

Three elemental constructs of self compassion

These three self compassion foundations help to shift the perspective of suffering.

  1. Self Kindness instead of Self Judgement. This means being warm towards self in the midst of failure, suffering or inadequacy.
  2. Common Humanity instead of Isolation. The realization and recognition that you are not the only one going through the experience being encountered. Seeing that all humans are imperfect or make mistakes.
  3. Mindfulness instead of Over-Identification. Being aware of our thoughts and feelings, acknowledging them without trying to deny or suppress them. Having receptive acceptance of them without the judgement or attachment to the negative reactions.

What would an example look like in a moment of simplified self compassion?

  1. Accept and acknowledge the experience, “this is a moment of challenge and it feels stressful.
  2. “Challenges are a part of life and I’m not alone in what I’m feeling.”
  3. Say to yourself, “May I be kind to myself, may I forgive myself and give myself the compassion that I need right now. What do I need, what can I give myself?”

The effects of self compassion in life are the ultimate shift in perspective about self and life. It continually cultivates the resilience necessary to move through suffering and setbacks in a way that acknowledges who you are with love and acceptance.

Uncovering the freedom to appreciate what is being experienced without the need to resist. Accepting the true essence of being alive in all it’s vibrancy, including the emotional gifts.

Comforting self through the process in kindness and grace. Connecting to love with harmonious congruency.

 

Mindfulness in Life Experiences

To be present in life requires mindfulness.

Mindfulness is being aware, paying attention without attachment by choice.

Choosing to be present in the moment.

Mindfulness is a state of being where body and mind are in the same mental and physical place at the same time.

In that moment, thoughts of past or future don’t exist.

It is so easy to go through daily routines or just “go through the motions.”

Mindfulness would be to step outside that pattern and be aware of the actions, things you are doing throughout the day.

The Benefits of Being Mindful

It can reduce stress by having awareness of thoughts and emotions that are occurring in the moment. There is an opportunity to process them.

Situations are no longer just reactionary.

What this means is having self control and not reacting  with a response of impulsive behavior. In addition, mindfulness allows for mental calmness in a state of composure. Within that composure is mental clarity and concentration.

You place all focus on what you are doing with aligned action. Awareness for where you are in the moment. Living into who you are choosing to be with intention and discipline. Functioning from a conscious thought process. This could be referred to as “the higher self” or “divine self.”

There is one important attribute that mindfulness offers in life. It is the ability to relate to self and others. In this space, kindness, compassion and acceptance are visible in awareness. Mindfulness can offer other perspectives. The perspectives offer other opportunities and choices.

There is a choice to step into the intentions of who you are being.

From my own personal experience, mindfulness has helped me with connection.

Mindfulness helps bring me back to a neutral operating state. Release from the dominating thoughts of judgment.

Letting go of the worries, the doubts.

It is a place of focus and intention on the present.

It breaks moments down into observable pieces.

You notice things start to slow down.

There is an appreciation for all that is right now.

Hello,

My name is Kristin Larsen.

You might be wondering, “What brought me to this moment?”
My journey has not always been easy. There were many years of struggle filled with self-judgment, perfectionism, self-doubt and worry. They were fueled by the feelings of inadequacy; not feeling worthy or enough. This mental suffering created a world of depression and anxiety, which made every day seem hopeless. It made me feel helpless…

Eventually, a moment came where I made a choice

I could continue living in suffering or begin taking steps to change the situation that I was creating. It was through health habit change, dedication to personal growth, and self-compassion that I chose to transform internal suffering into a new way of living. This journey helped me live into my core values of:

 

integrity, courage, connection, giving, creativity, growth & compassion!

 

On this journey there were many small steps that created change and brought clarity to my life. This revealed more opportunities and challenges. With self-compassion and going within, I was able to overcome those challenges and step into the opportunities which molded me into who I am today. That was when the realization came, I was forging a new path. 

At that point I realized, my journey is never-ending

To continue growing as a person, as a father, as a husband and as a friend, I decided to make an investment. That investment was in building my awareness and becoming more present. I asked myself, “who am I in my life?” I chose to embrace inner peace and awaken to a new source of love and acceptance.

 

From the source of “I AM” enough,

I am capable of being exactly

who I want to be,

I am worthy of

Whatever I Choose,

I am

Blessed

& I appreciate

My Life