Therapist's Thoughts on Thursday

We are going to do 'it'!!   Shannon , Julieanne and I are going to run a 1/2 Marathon in January!   I am super excited.   How delightful after our run yesterday to get to soak our feet for a pedicure while chatting.  Our cute toes will often be covered with boots this time of year, but I still like visualizing that I have cute pink toenails.  Shannon you've got purple, right?

Cricket and I walked up to Dick's Market on our break.  For some reason, everyone (okay, a little exaggeration) wanted to pet her in the store!  She was so distracted.  One lady asked me and when I said no, she is really distracted and needs to work she said but her eyes are so sad.   I smiled.  I know  but I really need her to focus on her job.  We left the store and I had a little chat with Cricket.   We did obedience outside.  We were a little out of synch, and I was feeling a little flustered.   I recalled my message I had just shared with a client of Self-Compassion.    It was a beautiful afternoon with the feel of the sun on us.  We stopped at our little grassy area near my office for probably one of the last times of sitting by the flowers.  I gave her a hug and acknowledged to myself that sometimes this blindness is tough and we felt better.  We took a picture that I know I missed the mark of getting us in the picture.  However, you can see it was a Striped Day.  I started with a black striped shirt and then my work outfit was a navy, cream striped jacket with navy tee and tan pants.    I'm told Stripes are part of the fashion this season. 

As Cricket and I were finishing up, a man came across the  street and asked me about Cricket.  He said he saw me walking fast and confidently with my guide dog each day  and just had to tell me what an incredible dog I had.  I agreed and it was a nice boost after our little frustration at Dick's Market.  Good Girl, Cricket.  I thought yes, we are a good team! 

My Therapist Thought of the Day by Dr. Christopher Germer.

How would you feel if somebody told you that you were "average" -- average looking, average intelligence, average talent?  Most probably it would  hurt your feelings and affect your self-esteem.  In our culture, we're taught we need to be exceptional and we're hard on ourselves when we're not:  'You're so stupid, What a loser!  No one will love you.'  Sound familiar?  We've all done it to some extent.  But what would happen if you were kind to yourself - at least as kind as you are to others -- when you notice the ways you're less-than-perfect?  What if you took a moment to soothe and comfort yourself when life becomes difficult, rather than troubling yourself further.  In other words,  what if you learned the art of mindful self-compassion?  We all want to avoid pain, but letting it in-- and responding compassionately to our own imperfections without judgment or self-blame -- are essential steps toward living happier, more fulfilling lives.