the tender tone of true….
You know how sometimes you feel the sting of disapproval
so sharp inside yourself,
feels like you have to curl your toes hard into the ground
to keep from bolting from where you stand?
(especially venomous is the judgment
of your own over-zealous ego)
I think that toe-curling thing is quietly exhausting.
There is an effective antidote,
your own soft, soothing, kind-hearted voice
filled with grace for just exactly who you are
right now.
(yes, your own voice……God can use you a lot in your life, you know)
Choose it well, the tone of voice you use with yourself.
It infuses the music of your life.
“It’s so awful, attacking your child. It’s the worst thing I know
to shout loudly at this fifty pound being, with his huge, trusting eyes.
It’s like bitch-slapping E.T.” -Anne Lamott
Yeah, I know I’m taking this quote out of context.
But it kinda works, and besides,
I find it hilarious:)
I can relate to the sting of self disapproval. Thanks… Your post is a great reminder to be gentle on ourselves. We can be like pretty delicate flowers that hasn’t seen their reflection in the cool still water and we don’t know our own beauty, only the beauty of the other flowers. I learned that God sees me as a delicate pink rose with a dew drop on one of my petals. Before this revelation, I thought that I was nobody special. What a fool I was but I’ve forgiven myself and I know that I am loved and that I’m special in a humble way with all my scars. I’m using a kinder tone of voice with myself now.
Hugs,
JB
I am tougher and meaner on myself than I am on anyone else Or than anyone else is on me. Which is wrong.
Love the tone reminders, and that I can use them for me. I so need gentleness. I can really hear your sweet voice speaking to me too. Great post! Thanks!
Oh I love Anne Lamott! That’s a great quote. Mr. ego can be so naughty at times. It takes huge amounts of faith love to keep that guy in check!
xo
dulcy
My husband tells me whenever he gently reminds me that I’ve made a mistake, perhaps should not have said such-and-such, that I ‘jump off a cliff’. And I do. I take it to the worse level of verbal self-destruction. Next time, I’m going to keep my words to myself and sing to lil’ ol’ me. Thanks, Jen, for this post!
Ohh I love this little reminder. Some voices can be so cruel and I must always remind me to be kind, especially towards myself. Thank you Jenny!
I love the Anne Lamott quote! So funny! I also love the self-kindness I hear popping up in your work. It’s so important and we need daily reminders. If we can’t be kind to ourselves, learn to love ourselves in all it’s real-rawness, how can we love anyone else? Beautiful!
I’ve done more than my share of toe-curling. It IS exhausting! Thank you for this lovely and beautifully illustrated reminder!
only lullabies to you xoxo
I have always thought that every course in school should be put to music (especially Math in my case) so that I would remember it better. It just makes more sweet sense when put to music. (for me anyway) I guess it should also be true with loving ourselves. Make it music to our ears or as you put it so well, “It infuses the music of your life” when we treat ourselves inside and out like someone we love and care for deeply.
♥
I picked up on your take on the quote immediately and it resounded loudly for me…I need to listen how I talk to me.
I picked up on your take on the quote immediately and it resounded loudly for me…I need to listen how I talk to me.
First? That flower! Yowza! What a beauty!
Second. Yup. Great post. Great.
Third? Quote is new to me, an oh so funny! And true.