Face your stuff. You’ll feel better for it

We all know the story of the Ostrich who puts his head in the sand to hide away.  Remember yourself as a child – hiding behind your hands, convinced no-one could see you because you couldn’t see them?

We all prefer to hide from our troubles.  Therapy couches are draped with those who’ve smothered their stuff under layers of lenses.

We all need clarity to move past our fears. And as someone who’s faced a lot of strife, I know facing our stuff takes a steady nerve.

I’ve a great friend Caroline who’s a Spiritual Director. She and I grew up together so we Know Each Other.  Very Well.  There’s no hiding with her. And truly – I don’t want to.  There’s a great relief in being honest and being who we are in front of everyone.

You know the thing – our public face and our private face. And often they aren’t aligned.

I’ve been doing a bit of reading over the years on being our Authentic Selves. And I’ve figured that hiding from ourselves takes a ton more energy than just facing up to ourselves. Square on.

If you’re like me, you don’t much like mirrors. I’m not vain. I just don’t always like what I see. But one of the deepest therapies I’ve ever done is the one I’d prefer to hide from.

It’s where you sit yourself slap in front of a mirror. Look yourself in the eye and tell the image facing it that you love it.

It’s tricky. It’s takes nerve.  In the past I’ve found a tone of grimy jobs I’d rather do. But looking at yourself and smiling is a winner. Having a face off in the mirror is not a contest. You win every time. Just looking.  Seeing. Liking.

Tell yourself you like yourself and you’re getting to love yourself.

Remind yourself you love what you see.  Make friends with your face, and then start to really delve.

You may be surprised at what comes up.

So tomorrow, or tonight (could you?) close the bathroom door from onlookers and come face to face with yourself and start a personal admiration group.

It comes from a place of acceptance and moves into self-love and gratitude and many places in between.

Start to face yourself, and much falls away.