What distractions, patterns, beliefs, or protective strategies are keeping you from connecting with yourself, your soul, the earth, and beyond?
You cannot break free from the weighed chains of shame and self-loathing without confronting the cruel inner voice. But first, you must sit with the part of you that's been trying desperately to escape this inner tormentor.
Enter the conversation as the compassionate observer. Offer the curiosity of unconditional love. What makes you reach for the numbing elixirs? What are you trying so desperately to avoid? What are you trying to get closer to? What does it cost you to continue using the substance, behavior, habit, protective strategy? What do these things offer you?
Can you offer radical self-love to this part of you before ever trying to liberate it from its self-imposed shackles?
If nothing else, set down the second arrow, do not join the judgmental chorus that spits and taunts and tells you there’s something wrong with you for wanting what you want and doing what you do. Chances are these behaviors make a whole lot of sense given what you’ve been through. And no lasting change or true sense of freedom, connection, or unconditional love, ever came from beating yourself up from the inside out.
