Young Val and twin bro


I came across this old photograph (of me and my twin brother) and not longer after, found an exercise on self acceptance.

Turns out they both went well together. To find out why, please read the exercise below…. and perhaps take some time to do it for yourself.

Step One
Imagine someone you love and admire sitting opposite you. He or she is smiling at you. How do you feel about them? If this person was to make a mistake, could you, and would you forgive them?

Step Two
Using your imagination, put yourself in the chair opposite you. Imagine you are sitting there smiling back at yourself. How do you feel about her or him? Do you feel the same way about her or him as you did towards the first person, the one you love and admire, or is the feeling different? If this person made a mistake could you, or would you forgive her? Are you more forgiving of the other person?

This exercise often highlights a discrepancy between how we love and accept others, compared to ourselves.

Step Three
Find a photograph of yourself as a child, and place it where you see it everyday. Let this remind you to be loving and accepting of yourself.
This child is precious, as are you.


When I first did this exercise myself, even after the inner work I have done, there was a difference in how I perceived myself making a mistake compared to my response towards someone I love. With the person I loved, there was an surge of love and empathy and urge to understand. With myself, there was an initial  slight withdrawal and contraction in the body and negative feeling before I was able to feel empathy and compassion.

Notice what you notice without any more self judgment.

Its so helpful to keep coming back to where we are on our journey…. and to remind us of our infinite capacity to grow our love. ❤️

Namaste

41 responses to “Self Acceptance and Compassion”

  1. Lovely post, thank you! Great lesson in self acceptance.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you Michelle 💛🙏💛

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Beautiful exercise — and I couldn’t agree more on your final point – “Its so helpful to keep coming back to where we are on our journey…. and to remind us of our infinite capacity to grow our love.” ❤️

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thank you Louise 💛🙏💛

      Liked by 1 person

  3. A lovely link between photograph and exercise

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you Derrick 💛 I hope you have dried out over there!

      Liked by 2 people

  4. Such a sweet photo that would remind you every day that self acceptance is necessary. Great lesson here.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thank you Marlene. 💕🙏💕Remembering the little girl inside of us keeps our heart open, and the inner critic at bay.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Beautiful. Thank you, Val. 💜🙏🏻

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thank you dear Carrie 💛🙏💛

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Great, great post Val. Thank you for your insight.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thank you Michael 💕

      Like

  7. A beautiful powerful exercise of self love and acceptance 🙏🏼💛

    Liked by 2 people

  8. I’m guessing most people would be more forgiving towards the other person – which I find to be a wonderful testament of our ability to accept others…

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks for this perspective Jim. 💛 Being externally motivated is how society runs …. being internally accepting is how society heals itself and grows.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. great way to put it Val…

        Like

  9. Adorable photo, Val, and a valuable lesson. Thank you.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thank you Jennifer 💕

      Liked by 1 person

  10. To err is human.
    To forgive (ourselves) divine!

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Thank you Rupali 🙏

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Helpful exercise, Val. Like you, there was a difference – my inner critic is still engaged, alas. The inner work is never done… 🙂

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thank you Eliza 💛🙏💛 it is an insight isn’t it…. may we continue with learning and kindness.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you Dave 💛🙏💛

      Like

  12. What a lovely exercise. I can completely see how it would help change perspective. A really cute photo too, Val. How sweet.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thank you Diana – so glad it resonated with you 🙏

      Liked by 1 person

  13. important work. thank you.

    Liked by 3 people

  14. Beautiful and informative post, Val! Thank you for the tips! ❤

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you Cherie 💛

      Liked by 2 people

      1. You’re very welcome. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  15. I love this exercise – thank you for sharing it! If you’re not talking to yourself as you would your own family then perhaps you’re not showing yourself the compassion you should? And if you are, perhaps you’re not being as honest with yourself as you should? Food for thought. Thank you 🙏

    Liked by 2 people

    1. So glad this gave you food for thought. Thank you AP2 🙏

      Liked by 1 person

  16. Thank you, Val, for that powerful exercise. In grad school I saw the profound insights and self-acceptance
    that took place for my classmates when they practiced this Gestalt “empty chair” exercise.
    What an important reminder!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you so much for being here and sharing your wisdom 🙏

      Like

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