It is helpful for me to put my hand on my heart and offer myself a gesture of kindness, I feel compassionate towards myself, I feel like I am supporting myself and I am giving myself love. I need to make this a habit.
I suddenly remembered, how I didn’t really care, what other thought about my choices, remembered and now, again, feel, that they are my choices and they are what makes me me – Thank you ?? Pure magic
Anna
Placing my hand on my heart brought on a flood of relief. I almost wept. Hiding may feel safe but without connecting, I’m helpless and anxious, walking on egg shells
During the kindness practice I recognice in me: Clarity, peacefull attention, concentration, active hearing, aceptance, empathy, connection, inspiration, be here and now. I can use this feelings whith my patients for healing, overcome suffering and pain.: 1.Individual psicoterapy2. family therapy, 3. Proyect healthy life 4.To sow hope seeds. I describe you my pediatrician and mental health work in the last 39 years.
When I placed my hand over my heart, I felt a genuine love because I’m trying to be more gentle and kind with my self its a Daily work, I’m grateful for each day.
I felt free of burdens,I told myself C…. I told myself I am beautiful, I am caring and empathetic. I use short meditation throughout my day to keep up the practice of mindfulness. Thank you I will remember and use your metaphor of the ocean
Tea G, Another Field, Colorado Springs, CO, USAsays
I’m not a therapist/healer/etc. I’ve done self healing for many years. Your assistance via video and books has been a huge boost! “I just do it” and I keep feeling better.
I’m more in tune with what I’m really feeling. I am able to hold space for the hurt rather than pushing it away. I realize I can heal myself, rather than looking to outside sources to do it.
A gentle love. I use this concept with those I teach by asking them to be kinder to themselves and mirroring the positive traits I see in them and that they see in themselves. Often I speak of self-care and how it must woven into the week: who better to know what we need than us?
Michele Place, Physical Therapy, Santa Rosa, CA, USAsays
When placing my hand over my heart, I feel a deep sadness, and tears come to my eyes. It feels like I’m opening the door to something but I’m not quite sure of what that is yet. Perhaps a release of the exhaustive vigilance it takes to sustain my walls, live in my head full of judgement and criticism of myself and others, and the inner fight to not want to live that way any longer.
I noticed my stomach was tense, trying to hurry, worrying about the time. I placed one hand over my heart and the other over my stomach. I said, “ouch, this hurts” .. then, “I see and feel the pain and suffering I’ve caused you (myself).” My eyes kinda misted up. I smiled and felt compassion and love for myself. Thank you, Tara!
Mara Robbins, Another Field, Glen Allen , VA, USAsays
Until 2011, I had a mindfulness practice but could not sustain sitting meditation. Since 2012, my morning practice has included and continues to include mantras, affirmations and other tactics to tend and befriend my own mind, heart and gut. Since 2001, I have done a sun salutation every morning, sometimes adding dance, other stretches and simply connecting with my body. Since April, thanks to a dear friend who began to share her practice with us virtually so that we could participate, I have done and continue to do 30-40 minutes of yoga before practicing mindfulness and meditation, choosing self-compassion and leaning into difficult emotions and negative thoughts. I am choosing self-forgiveness as I recover from lifelong trauma. Identifying the fear and the shame that caused me to torture myself unnecessarily is an ongoing transformative process I will be practicing for the rest of this life. “This is suffering.” “Ouch. This hurts.” “No wonder.” “How can I be gentle with myself?” “I am choosing to thank my fragile human nature for doing what seemed necessary to survive and intentionally give myself permission to choose differently.” “I choose the open tenderness of my heart.”
I didnt feel i deserved compassion. I resisted. Then i remembered someone else, a close friend who recently showed me compassion snd i felt validated snd heard.
With clients, i will check out if they can actually access self compassion and if now try showing my own compassion to see if this helps.
The quick shift was rather surprising-from shame over a repeated behavior that I struggle with, to a tenderness towards self that came with the hand on heart & reminder that this is something that I’m working on. It’s ok that this is happening. ‘You’re ok.’ I felt deeply comforted & reassured.
I felt warm accepting love and care. I felt stirrings of unease and had a knowing that there were feelings of fear and unworthiness being activated but knew it was ok, I was safe.
Carole Cassidy, Counseling, San Carlos , CA, USAsays
Saying hello to myself always feels good and I love identifying my feelings. Then if I’m sad to feel compassion for myself is very healing. Thoughts, feelings, saying hello to self, lovely!
While it feels comforting in the moment to offer a gesture of kindness to myself, I also struggle with it feeling superficial or even false. It’s as if my “thinking brain” is trying to convince me it’s a trick rather than something genuine (or perhaps something I’m genuinely worthy of). I’m hoping continued practice will strengthen the internalization thereby making it more real.
When I use this practice with clients, I find it’s helpful to picture a younger version of their self. That allows for a sense of (self) nurture, so often missed during formative years.
The gesture of kindness/self-compassion reminds me that suffering is part of common humanity. Just like how I suffer and needs loving care, others suffer and need care. I am just one string of the larger fabric of humanity. Thinking along these lines helps me to overcome my suffering and take compassionate actions for the greater good of alleviating suffering for others as well. It gives me a deeper purpose in life.
I find myself going to grief, painful feelings. I reflect how my clients probably have a similar experience. It is good to slow down and keep it simple – just a simple message to your own heart is a transformative gesture. Really good to practice! Thank you.
Hi
I have used the act of compassion with my clients. Some who have deep childhood abuse and have never experienced love find this very difficult and it is like a foreign language to them. I agree it takes lots of practice and intentional reflection.
Ruth
I feel so alone and unhappy ? I don’t sleep properly but pretend to others all is ok.
It is helpful for me to put my hand on my heart and offer myself a gesture of kindness, I feel compassionate towards myself, I feel like I am supporting myself and I am giving myself love. I need to make this a habit.
I feel stuck emotionless I feel numb or nothing at all
Please keep going. You are worth the effort.
resistance
I suddenly remembered, how I didn’t really care, what other thought about my choices, remembered and now, again, feel, that they are my choices and they are what makes me me – Thank you ?? Pure magic
Anna
i still feel extremely mad at myself. i don’t feel like i deserve to feel feelings of kindness.
Placing my hand on my heart brought on a flood of relief. I almost wept. Hiding may feel safe but without connecting, I’m helpless and anxious, walking on egg shells
During this short practice I noticed presence, self-care and calm. It seemed to slow me down and I became much more focused.
During the kindness practice I recognice in me: Clarity, peacefull attention, concentration, active hearing, aceptance, empathy, connection, inspiration, be here and now. I can use this feelings whith my patients for healing, overcome suffering and pain.: 1.Individual psicoterapy2. family therapy, 3. Proyect healthy life 4.To sow hope seeds. I describe you my pediatrician and mental health work in the last 39 years.
When I placed my hand over my heart, I felt a genuine love because I’m trying to be more gentle and kind with my self its a Daily work, I’m grateful for each day.
I felt free of burdens,I told myself C…. I told myself I am beautiful, I am caring and empathetic. I use short meditation throughout my day to keep up the practice of mindfulness. Thank you I will remember and use your metaphor of the ocean
I’m not a therapist/healer/etc. I’ve done self healing for many years. Your assistance via video and books has been a huge boost! “I just do it” and I keep feeling better.
I’m more in tune with what I’m really feeling. I am able to hold space for the hurt rather than pushing it away. I realize I can heal myself, rather than looking to outside sources to do it.
A gentle love. I use this concept with those I teach by asking them to be kinder to themselves and mirroring the positive traits I see in them and that they see in themselves. Often I speak of self-care and how it must woven into the week: who better to know what we need than us?
Peace!!!! I felt at ease with myself!! 🙂
And I plan on staying that peaceful to further strengthen my connection with others!!
THANKS!!!
I only said this to someone the other day. Feelings of self worthlessness destroy so much and are actually acts selfishness.
I felt some kind of acceptance and tenderness. It was a good feeling
Anxiety, grief, love, calmness
When placing my hand over my heart, I feel a deep sadness, and tears come to my eyes. It feels like I’m opening the door to something but I’m not quite sure of what that is yet. Perhaps a release of the exhaustive vigilance it takes to sustain my walls, live in my head full of judgement and criticism of myself and others, and the inner fight to not want to live that way any longer.
I told myself “you are doing well, I am with you, I won’t leave you, we’ll get through it”. I felt heard.
Thank you.
Placing my hand gently over my heart, I breathed and repeated “you’re doing okay, honey — it’s all okay” I felt a sense of calm and centeredness.
Sweet!
I noticed my stomach was tense, trying to hurry, worrying about the time. I placed one hand over my heart and the other over my stomach. I said, “ouch, this hurts” .. then, “I see and feel the pain and suffering I’ve caused you (myself).” My eyes kinda misted up. I smiled and felt compassion and love for myself. Thank you, Tara!
Softness…first in my shoulders and back and then in my eyes and face…very comforting and loving shift of my typical physiology.
Helpful technique for transformation. Thank you.
I felt a moment of peace and relaxation. I felt everything would be alright, I was supported.
Peace. Everything is alright, I am doing the best I can.
Until 2011, I had a mindfulness practice but could not sustain sitting meditation. Since 2012, my morning practice has included and continues to include mantras, affirmations and other tactics to tend and befriend my own mind, heart and gut. Since 2001, I have done a sun salutation every morning, sometimes adding dance, other stretches and simply connecting with my body. Since April, thanks to a dear friend who began to share her practice with us virtually so that we could participate, I have done and continue to do 30-40 minutes of yoga before practicing mindfulness and meditation, choosing self-compassion and leaning into difficult emotions and negative thoughts. I am choosing self-forgiveness as I recover from lifelong trauma. Identifying the fear and the shame that caused me to torture myself unnecessarily is an ongoing transformative process I will be practicing for the rest of this life. “This is suffering.” “Ouch. This hurts.” “No wonder.” “How can I be gentle with myself?” “I am choosing to thank my fragile human nature for doing what seemed necessary to survive and intentionally give myself permission to choose differently.” “I choose the open tenderness of my heart.”
I didnt feel i deserved compassion. I resisted. Then i remembered someone else, a close friend who recently showed me compassion snd i felt validated snd heard.
With clients, i will check out if they can actually access self compassion and if now try showing my own compassion to see if this helps.
I stepped more into the moment. Everything became more alive. The present moment felt safer. A shadow of hiding seemed to lift.
Self-compassion is the only way to heal.
The quick shift was rather surprising-from shame over a repeated behavior that I struggle with, to a tenderness towards self that came with the hand on heart & reminder that this is something that I’m working on. It’s ok that this is happening. ‘You’re ok.’ I felt deeply comforted & reassured.
I felt warm accepting love and care. I felt stirrings of unease and had a knowing that there were feelings of fear and unworthiness being activated but knew it was ok, I was safe.
Thoughts of: “God bless you, little one.”
Warmth, space and confidence.
A lovely inner smile – I connected with my inner ‘little one’ and sent her love. So sweet. Thank you.
Saying hello to myself always feels good and I love identifying my feelings. Then if I’m sad to feel compassion for myself is very healing. Thoughts, feelings, saying hello to self, lovely!
Sadness and feelings of warmth and Cate came up.
It will help me to not be hast in my answers or judgemental In my listening.
I think I can use it to help my clients to see that there is good will and a longing for being understood and loved underneath the pain.
Thank you so very much❤️
While it feels comforting in the moment to offer a gesture of kindness to myself, I also struggle with it feeling superficial or even false. It’s as if my “thinking brain” is trying to convince me it’s a trick rather than something genuine (or perhaps something I’m genuinely worthy of). I’m hoping continued practice will strengthen the internalization thereby making it more real.
Nothing this time.
Softness in my heart & body, ease
A sense of warmth.
A release of tension so more space and relaxation….this is a strategy I would use with myself and my clients for sure. Thanks you so much Tara
When I use this practice with clients, I find it’s helpful to picture a younger version of their self. That allows for a sense of (self) nurture, so often missed during formative years.
The gesture of kindness and compassion gave me a sense of peace and comfort. This is a great way to start my day! Thank you, Tara
The gesture of kindness/self-compassion reminds me that suffering is part of common humanity. Just like how I suffer and needs loving care, others suffer and need care. I am just one string of the larger fabric of humanity. Thinking along these lines helps me to overcome my suffering and take compassionate actions for the greater good of alleviating suffering for others as well. It gives me a deeper purpose in life.
The gesture of kindness practice created a sense of peace and relaxation. Thank you Tara for your generosity.
I find myself going to grief, painful feelings. I reflect how my clients probably have a similar experience. It is good to slow down and keep it simple – just a simple message to your own heart is a transformative gesture. Really good to practice! Thank you.
This is very helpful. To create that feeling of being held all by yourself.
I noticed the heaviness of tummy and the outer skin stretching as I breathed in and out.
thanks Tara, I will definitely try this technique on my clients
Hi
I have used the act of compassion with my clients. Some who have deep childhood abuse and have never experienced love find this very difficult and it is like a foreign language to them. I agree it takes lots of practice and intentional reflection.
Ruth