Friendship with Ourselves

I really enjoy my recent daily practice to focus on my daily activities. For example when I was raking the fallen leaves this morning. The colours and shapes looked even more beautiful and I felt so peaceful allowing no distracting thoughts to come in. It felt like a meditation.

It also is very helpful for me to take the time every day to read an inspirational text or article. For today I have chosen a text by Pema Chödrön, the following line really is an eye opener to me;
"As long as our orientation is toward perfection or success, we will never learn about unconditional friendship with ourselves, nor will we find compassion."

It sounds so beautiful; unconditional friendship with myself. To let go of all those secretive expectations of myself to become a perfect always cheerful mother, a published photographer, a successful blogger and a charismatic, popular person.
Losing those expectations and goals would provide so much personal freedom and peace of mind.

Pema has a very loving approach to this personal development;
"When we train in letting go of thinking that anything—including ourselves—is either good or bad, we open our minds to practice with forgiveness and humor. And we practice opening to a compassionate space in which good/bad judgments can dissolve.
We practice letting go of our idea of a "goal" and letting go of our concept of "progress," because right there, in that process of letting go, is where our hearts open and soften—over and over again."

So heartwarming and encouraging, I am very grateful to have read this inspiring article by Pema Chödrön; Signs of Spiritual Progress.
Thank you for joining me here today and I wish you a lovely day.

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