Forgive yourself

“Forgive yourself. Forgive yourself for who you were last week, last month, or last year. Forgive yourself for when you were exhausted and snapped at the people you love. Forgive yourself for not being able to do it all. Forgive yourself for your fears. Forgive yourself for your mistakes. Forgive yourself for eating one cookie too many. Forgive yourself for not being perfect. We often look at forgiveness as an intellectual act, but forgiveness is very spiritual. It is one of the most spiritual things we can do. When we forgive, we acknowledge that we are far bigger and greater than one individual moment. When we forgive, we are saying to the universe: I will not imprison myself or anyone else with anger, shame, judgment, or resentment. Gift yourself this freedom.”
― Cleo Wade, Heart Talk: Poetic Wisdom for a Better Life

Have you forgiven yourself lately? Have you ever forgiven yourself?

I took a yoga class yesterday. The teacher asked us to repeat affirmations as we flowed. She reminded us that how we speak to ourselves is a form of self-care. I love how our yoga practice offers us the opportunity to be kind to ourselves; through movement, through breath, and through affirmation.

Can you take a moment or a few today to sit in quiet? To take your hands to your heart. To find a deep breath or two. And to let whatever it is that you’re struggling with come to mind. And to give yourself grace and forgiveness. And then notice how that makes you feel.

Affirmation for the week:

I forgive myself completely.