I struggle with many of those same things, Karen. Practicing self-compassion (or not) makes a huge difference in how I feel about myself day to day. Thank you for this lovely reflection and this wealth of beauty. xo
I love all this, especially how you talk about reasoning with your "inner rule keeper." I seem to have one of these as well, and sometimes she's impossible to gentle down/tamp down/out shout. We're having more compromises than we used to though, so that's a good thing, right?
I adore the bird photos so much!!! That indigo bunting with the berries in his beak would make a wonderful greeting card! <3
Thanks Roxy. I've been working with some hypnosis and they talk about how your unconscious is always acting to keep you safe - like that's its prime directive. So my inner rule keeper is absolutely doing what she feels will keep me safe - and at one time it did! Finally getting that I have to bring a lot of compassion and trustworthiness to that situation if I want it to change. And that's a new song for me!
You are doing it Karen! You are making the change you are seeking. I love that you are telling us about it. All while sharing the beautiful birds and world that we too need to see. I so love learning about the Northern parula, which I have never seen before. Also love the blue bird taking flight at its own speed. The natural world 'speaks' to us all the time, if we will only take the time to observe and watch for its examples. ✨
Thank you for this~ accepting myself was really hard for me ~ at 40 I started to see myself and accept myself for who I was and what I needed~ I love the poem and all the beautiful pictures~ love your sharing Karen 💕
Thank you, dear Karen Softening to Myself was just what I needed. Your beautiful photographs. and inspirational writing softened my spirit and will help me to enjoy this day.
#1 I hope you don't write about what happened 5 minutes ago. It won't possibly be as good, as thoughtful, as well written, as this. #2 Thank you for your amazing photos and birds. Amazing. #3 You sound a lot like my adult son who realized later in life that he has ADHD (which answered my concerns about his childhood penchant for leaving jackets everywhere) and has found lots of help and support (books, online, therapy) by looking at the world not through disability and less-than and needing to change, but by allowing in the wildly creative person he is, who sometimes (well, often) forgets something.
Thank you Nancy. And he's to the ADHD which I didn't actually know until this past year. My therapist was gently saying it for a year before I went oh, you mean me?!? It definitely changes the approach which is helpful!
"the universe doesn't operate from lack" is so true. Great post and the reminder that one's pace is the best, without comparison to anyone else's pace. Compassion for me comes from embracing that I know who I am, regardless of what's happening around me, the good and the bad, painful and comforting. It's been a journey, for sure, and journeys can be great teachers. Beautiful photos, btw. I have family members who are birders and I'll share your Substack with them.
A beautiful journal and important theme. I find the older I get the easier it is to quiet the internal parents and focus on the beauty of the moment, as you most certainly do with your magical photos.
I struggle with many of those same things, Karen. Practicing self-compassion (or not) makes a huge difference in how I feel about myself day to day. Thank you for this lovely reflection and this wealth of beauty. xo
Ah Carmine, practicing self-compassion is so huge. I love that you notice how it makes you feel. It's a lifelong practice I think. Thank you!
Beautiful, Karen. I loved this: "I’ve finally decided it’s ok for me to operate in my own time."
Thank you for the beauty you bring to our lives!
Thank you Jeffrey. I hope I can learn to do it in my day job too, that's a really tough challenge.
I LOVE the photo of the Blue Bird! I want to be right there in that photo!
Thank you Susi
I love all this, especially how you talk about reasoning with your "inner rule keeper." I seem to have one of these as well, and sometimes she's impossible to gentle down/tamp down/out shout. We're having more compromises than we used to though, so that's a good thing, right?
I adore the bird photos so much!!! That indigo bunting with the berries in his beak would make a wonderful greeting card! <3
That last pic about Winds of Change had me hearing the music from this almost immediately :D https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ukh1zoiV304
Thanks Roxy. I've been working with some hypnosis and they talk about how your unconscious is always acting to keep you safe - like that's its prime directive. So my inner rule keeper is absolutely doing what she feels will keep me safe - and at one time it did! Finally getting that I have to bring a lot of compassion and trustworthiness to that situation if I want it to change. And that's a new song for me!
You are doing it Karen! You are making the change you are seeking. I love that you are telling us about it. All while sharing the beautiful birds and world that we too need to see. I so love learning about the Northern parula, which I have never seen before. Also love the blue bird taking flight at its own speed. The natural world 'speaks' to us all the time, if we will only take the time to observe and watch for its examples. ✨
Thank you Sandy.
Thank you for this~ accepting myself was really hard for me ~ at 40 I started to see myself and accept myself for who I was and what I needed~ I love the poem and all the beautiful pictures~ love your sharing Karen 💕
Thank you Catherine
Thank you, dear Karen Softening to Myself was just what I needed. Your beautiful photographs. and inspirational writing softened my spirit and will help me to enjoy this day.
Thank you Joan!
#1 I hope you don't write about what happened 5 minutes ago. It won't possibly be as good, as thoughtful, as well written, as this. #2 Thank you for your amazing photos and birds. Amazing. #3 You sound a lot like my adult son who realized later in life that he has ADHD (which answered my concerns about his childhood penchant for leaving jackets everywhere) and has found lots of help and support (books, online, therapy) by looking at the world not through disability and less-than and needing to change, but by allowing in the wildly creative person he is, who sometimes (well, often) forgets something.
Thank you Nancy. And he's to the ADHD which I didn't actually know until this past year. My therapist was gently saying it for a year before I went oh, you mean me?!? It definitely changes the approach which is helpful!
sometimes a diagnosis helps. sometimes it gets in the way. :-)
Thank you especially for sharing the poem. And of course the glorious birds in the berries.
Thank you Janisse!
"the universe doesn't operate from lack" is so true. Great post and the reminder that one's pace is the best, without comparison to anyone else's pace. Compassion for me comes from embracing that I know who I am, regardless of what's happening around me, the good and the bad, painful and comforting. It's been a journey, for sure, and journeys can be great teachers. Beautiful photos, btw. I have family members who are birders and I'll share your Substack with them.
Thank you Mary!
Let you be you,
And don’t let anyone tell you different including yourself.
Learn to love.
you
Thank you Lor
A beautiful journal and important theme. I find the older I get the easier it is to quiet the internal parents and focus on the beauty of the moment, as you most certainly do with your magical photos.
Thank you David
Same here to it all
Thank you Michael
I love the bluebird picture. Thank you for the mention. We are learning self love and kindness together ❤️❤️
Thank you Cali, we are!