I pull cards every day and lately I’ve had a pattern of pulling cards that talk about compassion…every day.  It’s not unusual to pull similar cards a few days in a row, especially if there is a message the universe is trying to convey, but to pull it for so long, is a bit off.  The last week was one of the most difficult I’ve had due to physical stress and I felt incredibly alone during most of it.  I realized how powerful the mind is, and for some reason, after seeing so many messages on compassion, I started thinking that I couldn’t hold more compassion for people who didn’t give a damn about me.  And in that moment I realized that maybe the compassion needed was compassion for myself.  Maybe others didn’t see how much I’d been doing, maybe they didn’t see I was at the end of my rope—but I did.  I could give myself space and grace to take care of myself, to meet my needs, to appreciate what I’ve done.

We often go unappreciated in this world, I’m not unique in that.  I can handle not being appreciated mainly because I have a job to do—and not all jobs are about recognition in the form of accolades.  What I can’t tolerate is nearly killing myself because someone thinks I’m not doing enough.  I can’t tolerate my humanity being ignored.  I can’t tolerate my integrity or work ethic being questioned.  That type of judgement is detrimental to the character and has long-lasting implications if the wrong people hear someone’s thoughts or opinions on the matter—and we have no control over it.  But when the source of such information is found, then it’s time to stand up for yourself.  And finding your voice and standing up for yourself is a form of self-compassion as well. 

Compassion is the greatest form of self-care.  Holding space for ourselves the same way we would for others allows us to breathe.  It allows us to keep perspective on who we really are and to separate other’s opinions from reality.  I hate the idea that perspective is reality because we all know that isn’t true.  Just because we tell ourselves something doesn’t make it true—yes, I know it’s conflicting because I preach about mindset—but I’m not talking about how we feel, I’m talking about what actually happens.  Facts are facts in events, not what we think happens.  There’s a reason why eye-witnesses are deemed unreliable.  So, knowing the truth, feeling the truth, and allowing that space keeps us grounded and aligned with who we are.  We are human and we are allowed that space.  People don’t owe us anything and they aren’t the greatest source of truth, but if we can do that for ourselves then we are headed in the right direction.