Warts and All

I’ve been given many opportunities to practice mindfulness lately. Sometimes the benefits of my practice are clear – more patience, compassion, empathy, non-judgment and calm. Other times … well, there’s nothing pretty down that road.

Such was the case during a recent customer service call. No details necessary, just know that all of the benefits of meditation went right out the window. If that’s not bad enough, I am still judging myself for reacting in such a way. Clearly there are miles yet to go.

Intellectually, I understand that we are all human beings, warts and all. We don’t always act in mindfulness, we judge and say things we don’t mean and are impatient and have all those other traits that make us human. And we judge ourselves without forgiveness or compassion, instead of moving on. It’s the emotional part I trip on.

So this is a post for me as much as for you, to remind us all of the wonderful, beautiful, imperfect, flawed human beings that we are.

Today, I remind myself that difficult situations are an opportunity to practice that patience and compassion and non-judgment. And when I mess up, it’s another opportunity, this time to practice self-patience and self-compassion and not judging myself. There’s always room to grow in my practice.

Today, I embrace the gift of imperfection. I accept that I won’t always respond in the way that I want. I am a unique human, perfectly imperfect just as I am. I will not strive for perfection, as that is an unachievable goal.

Today, I will not dwell in the judgy times, and instead will shine the light on each moment of mindfulness. My practice has given me so many gifts.

Today, I soften my self-talk.

Today, I let go of comparisons. Each of us is on our own path in ways that work for us. We each grow and change quite differently, and that is a good thing! So I will focus on my journey, celebrate my accomplishments, and set my own goals.

Embrace the day, in all it’s imperfection. There will never be another one like it!