It’s Saturday morning once again, and as per my usual weekend routine, I have my massive mug of coffee within arm’s reach. This past week was a mixture of calm, upheaval, stress, quiet, humor, bewilderment, and compassion.
I have posted numerous photos this past week of some gorgeous sunrises that I have been fortunate enough to capture in the morning’s early light! Today, however, the sky is grey, Lake Michigan has been virtually zapped of all its color, leaving a myriad of grey tones in its wake. Opposites indeed. This lead my thoughts to this past week of ‘extremes’. Likened to the differences between the inspiring, watercolor clouds I bore witness to this past week, compared with today’s grey hues from sky to water, I realize that my experiences last week were also, at times, hovering on the spectrum at each end.
When I was dealing with the downright unpleasant, ‘stuff’, I not for a minute did I feel I could do anything about it. That was, however, until a conversation with a very wise person made me realize that we absolutely must be our own best friend. I have heard this before; my dear mother has repeated this to me on many occasions.
But it wasn’t until this past week that it finally started to sink in. Sometimes in dealing with situations that are so extremely unpleasant we tend to forget the support we have literally inside of us. Do you remember in, “The Wizard of Oz” when Dorothy was told she had the power all along to go home but she hadn’t realized it? I think that’s a great analogy of coming to the realization that we have our own best friend within us. And yes, they have been there all along, through thick and thin, simply waiting for us to recognize this wonderful support that is staring at us in the proverbial mirror!
We are so fixated on the outward; and yes, that is perfectly okay, except when we negate the person who has the built-in capacity to help us; that, of course, is YOU!
Helping others deal with tough situations is honorable, but when it isn’t reciprocated inward then the balance is gone. Being your own best friend brings a sense of calm, peace, and appreciation for whatever circumstance you find yourself in. Being your own best friend means you are kind to yourself, thoughtful, gentle, supportive, reassuring, but most of all, loving. Being your own best friend is one of the most important aspects of our human experience, in my opinion. I’ve really been missing out on this one! Being your own best friend also allows you to become an even better friend to others. When you experience the supportive nature for yourself, it allows you to relate that feeling outward to others.
I wonder what it would be like if people actually took the time to be kinder to themselves. Do you think they would be happier people? I certainly think they would. Stepping back to the Wizard of Oz analogy, the ability has always been there; it just has to be believed.
The Chicago Files 