I received many email “confessions” about your over-active your inner critics in response to last week’s UPdate. Many of you resonated with the awareness that being golden toward yourself and shining your light feels a lot better than beating yourself up and playing small. But after you read the quote from Marianne Williamson and listened to the song “I’m Amazing”, how successful have you been in making the inner shift toward more positive self-talk? By the weekend were you back to nasty old habits of picking yourself apart? Can you think of a moment today when you were hard on yourself and did not course correct? If the answer is yes, please don’t use this as another opportunity for self-flagellation! Another UPlifting reminder and more encouragement is in order.

Shifting our conscious to one of self-acceptance is not always immediate; it requires intention, patience and most of all being gentle. I am aware that many of you are currently walking through challenging times so now more than ever it is essential to be kind and loving with yourself. How you are with yourself as you walk through these times is one of the most essential ingredients to healing. Setting any expectations of yourself or your process only slows down your growth. I understand that when we are going though something painful or confusing, the only thing we want is for it to feel better and be over. But there is tremendous value in learning how to be gentle with ourselves through the pain and the confusion.

Trust me, you eventually will get through it so embrace where you are now instead of willing it to be different. Even in the darkest of times, remember that you have an inner light so be gentle and Don’t Give Up.

Fondly,
Christine Hassler

The following poem entitled “Be Gentle” was written by my Chrysalis co-facilitator Britta Johnson:

Be gentle, my Beloved
Be gentle
No pushing, no forcing, no punishing
Be gentle

Let is happen
Let it come to you in its own time
Be gentle

The precious gem of your being
Needs gentle loving kindness
No hammer, no chisel and no axe
Will force it to the surface
Only patience, love and gentle persistence
Are like sunshine and water
To your fragile inner flower

Be gentle
Forgive yourself and forgive the other
For we all did not know what we were doing

Allow your innate intelligence to do the work
It’s all happening in its perfect time
Always…
You’re exactly where you are meant to be
RIGHT NOW

Keep going strong
But tread gently on your path to freedom
Yes, please keep going, and never ever ever ever give up.

And always remember
Be gentle, my precious Beloved!