This is a new weekly series of reflections regarding the day’s meditation in The Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie
FEB 23 Meditation:
From The Language of Letting Go
by Melody Beattie
Strength
We don’t always have to be strong to be strong. Sometimes, our strength is expressed in being vulnerable. Sometimes, we need to fall apart to regroup and stay on track.
We all have days when we cannot push any harder, cannot hold back self-doubt, cannot stop focusing on fear, cannot be strong.
There are days when we cannot focus on being responsible. Occasionally, we don’t want to get out of our pajamas. Sometimes, we cry in front of people. We expose our tiredness, irritability, or anger.
Those days are okay. They are just okay.
Part of taking care of ourselves means we give ourselves permission to “fall apart” when we need to. We do not have to be perpetual towers of strength. We are strong. We have proven that. Our strength will continue if we allow ourselves the courage to feel scared, weak, and vulnerable when we need to experience those feelings.
Prayer
Today, God, help me to know that it is okay to allow myself to be human. Help me not to feel guilty or punish myself when I need to “fall apart.”
Almost every sentence in this meditation is mention-worthy!!!
“Sometimes, our strength is expressed in being vulnerable.”
It takes STRENGTH, COURAGE, HONESTY and HUMILITY to show vulnerability.
We are not weak when we show others our vulnerable side. It is OK to be tired. It is OK to be confused. It is OK to be upset.
“Part of taking care of ourselves means we give ourselves permission to ‘fall apart’ when we need to.”
There is strength in knowing that we are NOT always strong. That IT IS PERFECTLY OK to be in shambles sometimes.
If we know our self-worth and are secure in simply being who we are, we don’t have to question ourselves when we feel like we need a break.
We are not weak if we…
“cannot push any harder”
“cannot hold back self-doubt”
“cannot stop focusing on fear”
“cannot be strong”
“cannot focus on being responsible”
“don’t want to get out of our pajamas”
“cry in front of people”
“expose our tiredness, irritability, or anger”
We are not machines, we are not “perfect”, we need rest and time-outs.
We do not need to prove ourselves to anybody!
Feeling “weak” does not mean you are weak; it means you have the strength to be aware of how you are feeling.
“We do not have to be perpetual towers of strength. Our strength will continue if we allow ourselves the courage to feel scared, weak, and vulnerable when we need to experience those feelings.”
You have EVERY permission to feel however you do and to decide what is best for you. You don’t need anyone else’s validation except your own.
Positive quotes that come to mind are:
Do you have any thoughts from this reading? Please feel free to share with me in the comments below, I’d love to discourse and exchange views with you 🙂
The Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie
> Download the book app on the App Store for Phone or Google Play for Android.
> View Thought For The Day by Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation (the book’s publisher) here.
You know, you can never better yourself and learn if you’re not making mistakes. Falling apart gives you an option to rebuild yourself in a better way!
I know what you mean…
In short, it’s OK to not appear STRONG to actually display strength.
Great posts!! As a mom it is needed to tell ourselves these quotes and affirmations to keep us grounded and less stressed.
Glad I could help in some way, Whitney! 🙂
Thanks for reminding us that sometimes it is ok and necessary to fall apart and allow for a time to rest. Letting go can be so hard.
Yes, Tamara, “falling apart” is OK, it’s just something that happens. It doesn’t mean we are failures! And rest – so important too 🙂
This is such a beautiful and terrific post. You’ve written so eloquently about such an important topic, finding and cherishing the strength within ourselves.
We’re so glad you shared this with us at the #TrafficJamWeekend party and hope you’ll join and share more of your great posts every week. ?
Thank you for your gracious words, as always, Reuven. And am glad to be part of your #TrafficJamWeekend link party for sure!
It’s really nice to see others being so open about their feelings.
Thanks Shernell. This is what my blog is about; being wide open and honest about what I feel and think through my recovery journey 🙂 Hope you’ll come by and visit more often if this is the kind of posts you’d like to read!
This is a great post! I am really like this sometimes but i just do this to let go things and after that, i am all fine, 🙂
Beautifully written. Such an inspiring post that I know so many who can benefit from.
Thank you for your kind words, Krysti 🙂
That’s my hope as well.
It’s so important to accept that you are human and let yourself be vulnerable in front of others.
Indeed, this is exactly what this post is about. We are human and we are not strong ALL the time — and there is Strength in being to admit to ourselves this 🙂
This is a great post. Sometimes it is best to let go. I’ll have to check out this book.
Beautiful post! It’s really hard to let things go and by doing so gives you so much strength! I’ve been there where I was unable to let things go and it was a really rough time for me. Group of ladies helped me get through it and I am so happy I ended up better and not bitter!
It’s so great that you found your tribe, Katriza. I look forward to finding mine. And thankfully you’re in a better place now – letting go is definitely a process and you’ve come a long way 🙂
Excellent post! I’ll have to pick up a copy of this book which sounds amazing!
Thanks Ivonne 🙂 Yes, I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone!