It is #GratefulFriday

It's #gratefulFriday​​​​​​​​⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Receiving compliments can be really hard and uncomfortable for many of us. Whether the compliment is from a stranger or someone dear to us, it can be difficult to hear the kind words.

For many of us it is easier to express gratitude rather than receive it. Instead we side step or shut down the compliment, brushing it off or focusing on something negative about ourselves. And in the end we are not allowing love and kindness to enter our beings.

Why is it so hard to accept a compliment, to receive gratitude? Often it is because we do not feel deserving of the kind words being offered to us. We struggle to believe we have worth and value and therefore are unable to experience of fully accepting gratitude. Things that have happened in our past may make this more difficult. Sadly, we are inadvertently preventing love and praise from entering our heart and beings.

Being able to accept gratitude begins with being able to see the good in oneself. For many us seeing the good in ourselves can be really hard because painful relationships in our past interfere with our ability to accept or see the good in ourselves. However, with a little bit of compassion for ourselves and a whole lot of practice, we can learn to receive gratitude and compliments more easily and gracefully.

Let's try to shift our inner voice to one of self-compassion and gratitude with this mantra meditation. Begin to follow your breath in and out. And now gently begin to repeat this Buddhist mantra of self-compassion, Om Mani Padme Hum. Silently repeat the mantra to yourself over and over. If you would like to say it outloud, please do. As you repeat the mantra outloud or silently, feel the vibration flowing into your heart and being. Stay here for 10 - 15 minutes. Feel your heart begin to open and receive love.

Much Love,
Lindsay