Keeping Our Center ~ Day 67

In an article in Psychology Today, Hara Estroff Marano writes that in addition to being spiritual, a belief in oneself is essential to resilience.

Coincidentally, I have a cute little journal that was given to me a few years ago that sits on my desk and its cover says, “BELIEVE IN YOURSELF.” It’s empty. I haven’t known what to write in it. It seemed like it should be something profound and pertinent to the cover. It’s not that I don’t believe in myself, it just seems egotistic to talk about it. I’m probably making too much out of it.

Anyway, it’s true that bouncing back when things get tough goes a whole lot better when you believe you have the capacity to do just that. Part of believing in ourselves stems from experience. We’ve been there, done that. It may not have been easy or fun, but we’re still going. So, certainly we can make it through one more thing.

Marano reminds us, “Resilient people don’t walk between the raindrops; they have scars to show for their experience. They struggle – but keep functioning anyway. Resilience is not the ability to escape unharmed.” 

To clarify a bit, believing in oneself does not mean we have to go it alone! It means that, in addition to trusting our own inner strength, abilities, and track record, we believe we have the resources available to tap if we need them. We have friends we can call, family who will support us, neighbors who are standing by, and we’re not afraid, or embarrassed, or too stubborn, to ask for help.

For today, consider finishing these three phrases with your strengths and resources: I have… I am… I can… The first three pages of my little journal are now filled in with the answers to these. And it feels good.

Let me close with one of my favorite quotes from Winnie-the-Pooh, “Always remember you are braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”

Love & Light!

Kaye