Poetress.At.Will

Your life will be so much better when you start trying to understand and have compassion for the people who hurt you — instead of just reacting in the heat of the moment and hurting them back. It is easy to hold a grudge. It is easy to blame. But these narratives are a perpetuation of the role of a powerless victim. When you hold grudges the victimization continues. It takes emotional bravery to forgive. It takes a huge determination toward self-care to let go of painful past events and not let them define your future. There is no self-love without forgiveness, and there is no forgiveness without self-love. Forgiving another may be the ultimate act of self-love. Forgiving is an inward act that establishes outer boundaries; it is an undefeatable triumph of self-compassion that proclaims you are no longer a victim. Through forgiveness, you can quit suffering from the sins committed against you. By holding-on to resentment you allow them to continue having power over you. Forgiving takes your power back.

— Bryant McGill

Dale Carnegie (via purplebuddhaproject)

Here is a guided meditation you can use to help build self-esteem. Sit in a comfortable position, with your back straight, breathe in as you read the breathing in lines and breathe out as you read the breathing out lines.

Breathing in, I am aware of my breath going in

Breathing out, I am aware of my breath going out

Breathing in, I am present in my body

Breathing out, I am present in time and space

Breathing in, I invite a new perspective on myself

Breathing out, I empty my mind

Breathing in, I give myself the gift of fresh air

Breathing out, I give back to the world

Breathing in, I recognize that I suffer from my self-esteem

Breathing out, I wish to change that habit

Breathing in, I recognize that I am human

Breathing out, I know that being human hurts

Breathing In, I feel the pain and sadness

Breathing out, I give that to the world

Breathing in, I feel the world’s suffering

Breathing out, I send the world peace

Breathing in, I am connected to all people

Breathing out, I wish people to be free of suffering

Breathing in, I am connected to myself

Breathing out, I wish to be free of suffering

Breathing in, I invite peace into my life

Breathing out, I share peace with the world

Breathing in, I see all people are equal

Breathing out, I join the sea of equality

Breathing in, I am no better than anybody

Breathing out, nobody is better than me

Breathing in, I am only what I am

Breathing out, I am enough

Breathing in, I connect with my essential goodness

Breathing out, I share my goodness with the world

Breathing in, I know new thoughts may unsettle me

Breathing out, I let my thoughts go.

Breathing in, I am present in my body

Breathing out, I am present in time and space

Breathing in, I am aware of my breath going in