If I could talk to myself twenty years ago, I would tell myself to focus on my strengths, and not on my weaknesses; on the things I could do and not the things I couldn’t do; to strive to excel and hone those skills to the point of excellence. That this was the best strategy to secure my future. I would say to myself that the only real obstacles you have are those you create for yourself.

~Mariam Parés

Parés thoughts resonate with me because we all have that inner critic and when self-doubt creeps in, I recognize how important it is to be aware of the stories we can tell ourselves based on past experiences and inferences we make that may feel real but are not necessarily true.

 I am also very heartened by what science is telling us about mindfulness practices and how we can retrain our brains. This awareness is  particularly helpful when I notice that critical voice rising up, I can respond with kindness and say,  “thank you friend, I know you mean well…with your admonishing words, however, I am a person of strength, encouragement and gratefulness … and I’ve got this covered!”

“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.” ~Rumi

Liz Sorensen Wessel
Mandala by ~liz