Before I get going, a quick reminder that my new book I Am With You: Words of comfort & strength for difficult times is available to buy now!
You can buy a signed copy direct from me (UK only) + it’s available in paperback from Amazon worldwide + Blackwell’s UK, Barnes & Noble US, and Booktopia AUS & NZ AND in ebook format from a wide range of sellers, including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, Google Play Books & Kobo.
Get all the info on I Am With You HERE.
You can listen to me reading this piece here:
Today, let’s start with a short poem that, in itself, I feel gives you good life advice! Then I’ll expand a little more on its theme…
It’s called ‘And Then’.
All her life
She’d looked outside herself
For approval
For validation
To confirm that she existed.
And then
She discovered the Inner Mother
The source of unconditional love
Within her soul.
She met her inside
Her pain, her grief, her anger.
She found her
In her own heart.
And now
The only approval she seeks
Is to look in the mirror
And see her own loving eyes looking back.
And so
Every morning she decides:
‘I like who I am
I approve of me.
And that is enough’.
What do YOU see in the mirror?
How many times a day do you look in the mirror? What do you say to the image reflecting back?
Maybe they’re just casual neutral glances or perhaps you criticise your clothes, your body, your hair, your face… Or maybe you avoid mirrors if you can because you don’t like some aspect of the way you look.
How would it be to stand in front of a mirror and simply look into your own eyes?
How would it be to look beyond the condition of your skin and hair … and beyond the self-judgment?
How would it be to look into your eyes and truly see yourself, as if for the first time?
I’ve found there is something deeply grounding, centring and healing in looking into my own eyes. I come back to myself. I can sense all parts of myself. I feel more self-accepting, self-aware and self-compassionate. I feel like I’ve come home.
It has long been said that the eyes are the windows to the soul.
So, look deep into your eyes and see your spirit, your life energy, your uniqueness, your wisdom, your joy, your radiance: your soul.
Start the day this way:
Every morning, look yourself in the mirror and say to yourself, out loud:
‘I like who I am. I approve of me. And that is enough’.
You might squirm a little at first.
You might hear an unkind inner voice of mockery and doubt.
But keep saying it each day.
Then one day you will find you truly mean it.
Until next time, wishing you the healing blessings of tender & fierce self-compassion,
Stella x
This piece is adapted from my book I Am With You which is out now worldwide in paperback and ebook.
Buy / read reviews / download a free sample HERE.
✍️Join me in the comments
What do you see when you look in the mirror?
How would it be to look past any judgement and look deep into your eyes - and meet yourself with empathy and compassion?
Have you tried this exercise? How did it feel for you?
Let’s chat. When we share our experiences we help both ourselves and each other feel less alone.
Great post Stella thanks so much!
I have done this practice before - it’s difficult
each day it seemed a little different
but I noticed the better or prettier I looked the more acceptance I had for myself - kinda sad -
Hard to face myself & have compassion for myself when I am sick which I am on & off with an autoimmune condition- that’s where I currently am, sick not feeling well
and so I will begin to add this in my am ritual
And see what comes up
I am working on the inner Mother right now
creating new narratives and patterns is hard work
I am going to do some collage work this weekend to help me with this
Thanks again
Warmly
Maureen