Please read Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6 for context. Thank you.
With time, I realized that I needed to replace the demand of perfection with the pursuit of excellence. I realized that I needed to replace the messages of old that told me that “I did not measure up to expectations…” with the realization that my good was good enough. I needed to cease from my striving and I needed to learn to rest.
I needed to learn to trust — not to get but to be.
I needed to trade the message of shame — Should Have Already Mastered Everything — that lied to me and told me that I was a mistake with the concept of learning curves. I needed to begin celebrating my small successes. I needed to change the way looked at life — as a journey to be relished not as destination to be sought.
I needed to learn how to detach — both physically, emotionally and spiritually — from individuals, groups, organizations and religious institutions who sought to control me through shame based messages. I needed to learn how to recognize double messages such as come close, go away.
I needed to learn to be kind to myself. I needed to begin loving the child — in me — who desperately wanted to be loved and nurtured. I needed to learn to be a peace with myself. I needed to learn how to be comfortable in my own skin. I needed to learn how to love and receive love — with out conditions.
I needed to learn how to live and let live. I needed to change the way that I viewed and experienced trust.
Please read Part 8 for context. Thank you.
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