The world tells us we must act a certain way, look a certain way or perhaps obtain just the right product to be acceptable. the self improvement industry runs rampant over hurting hearts confirming what some suspect: you are not good enough, you are not worthy. But....
What if you are already awesome and you just don't know it? What if you are good enough? Don't you know you are God's masterpiece? "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my Mother's womb" Psalm 139:13." Why is it so easy to be astonished and grateful at God's canvas in nature and marvel over a majestic mountain or a spectacular sunset but then look at ourselves, a product of the same Divine Artist, and see a collage of flaws and inadequacies? Two truths I try to remember always: 1) I have areas that could be improved and 2) I am perfect right now this unimproved moment.
I don't remember this just for me, I do believe this to be a universal truth. You are flawed and perfect in the same breath. What if your "flaws" are what make you perfect? We are here to grow even as we lovingly embrace who we are now. Growth that is motivated by self loathing can quickly turn toxic while growth grounded in self love yields the most brilliant blossoms. According to Tara Brach, a great Buddhist teacher, the core wound of all humanity is the belief we are not good enough to be loved. But over and over God demonstrates love for us in scripture, in nature in tiny unseen everyday miracles. Our very core is spirit linked to God, our very core is holy and good. God is wooing humanity as we hang our heads at our imperfections He is whispering "You are perfect". So who are you gonna believe, the Divine Creator shining love on you or your ego mind telling you that you are not worthy of love? I don't teach and practice yoga to become someone better or to try to get into crazy pretzel shapes (although that can be fun) but rather to uncover and remember the core goodness of humanity, all of humanity not just the people I admire but everyone who has breath.
Our ego minds collude with society to tell us we are alone and we are not good. But the quiet whisper of Holy Spirit in our hearts tells us we are a beloved part of a connected whole. When you love yourself you are loving your neighbor and when you love your neighbor you are loving God. We cannot say we love God and continue in resisting self love. It is not about improving who you are but rather revealing your basic good nature and awesomeness!
"The aim of life is self development. To realize one's nature perfectly - that is what each of us is here for"
Oscar Wilde
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