Beating Ourselves Up
How absolutely perfect My last newsletter had a video attached to it, that was intended to come AFTER the video attached to this newsletter. I sent my web master the wrong video and when I was going over the test he sent me to edit, I neglected to double check the video to see if it was accurate. It’s the first time I made two videos on the same day with the intention of having them in two separate newsletters. So it opened up the possibility of a mix up and it happened. You gotta love it.
So often, I think if we’re putting ourselves out there publicly I think we can get caught up in the idea that we have to have it all together or we have to be the master of what we’re talking about. I don’t know about you, but I love public figures who are real and can own their humanity. I find this to be authentic and thus trustworthy. So here I am in all of my humanity and owning it in this newsletter. I feel blessed to have the way-showers in my life who show me the way to become more congruent with my own humanity.
This could be the perfect place for me to “beat myself up.” This is what my self talk might normally sound like. “I can’t believe I did that. Jeez… I sent him the wrong video. I’m so stupid. Really!!! How could I do that? I didn’t even think to check if the video was right when he sent me the test. Blah-blah-blah!!! This or some variation of it.
Since I’m working on this series of emails about beating ourselves up, I don’t think it could be more perfect that of all the times to send the wrong video, this would be the time. I always say I like to do these videos when something is stirring up in me and low and behold, I have the perfect set-up to be writing a newsletter on how we beat ourselves up when we feel we’ve made a mistake or done something we don’t feel good about.
Fortunately, I find myself feeling pretty gleeful about this error of mine, because even though my first thought was, “I can’t believe I did that.” Very quickly I caught myself and realized the absolute perfection of my error. I made a mistake and I have the choice of trying to cover it up, beat myself up, or be straight about it and send you this video. I’m actually feeling quite capable of embracing my humanity in the moment and I’ve been provided with a sense of humor that can see the beauty and perfection in this and share it with you. So please enjoy this video and if you’re so inclined, watch the video in the previous newsletter again after watching this one.
Here’s a little exercise inclined to try. Just for today, try to be more attentive with yourself and see if you can catch yourself when you’re thinking or saying something derogatory about yourself, or anyone else for that matter and just do a little internal “Do-over.” This is something that my husband and I utilize in our marriage when things get dicey and one of us steps up to the plate and requests a “Do-Over.” It’s a way to practice actually rewriting the story you’ve told yourself. It’s a great exercise and if you chose to try it, see what happens with your day.
I’d love to hear from you about it. Please feel free to email me.