Hey, Unstoppable One . . .

So, it’s Springtime at last . . . HALLE-FLIPPIN-LUJAH!!!!

And I had a surprising “Ah-Ha!” moment the other day that I thought you might enjoy, too.

So check this out:

While boogying my butt down a nearby walking-trail toward my favorite woodsy spot — I was SHOCKED to see a plethora of trash, garbage, napkins, cans, bags, and plastic bits of all kinds-n-colors . . .

Basically: An all-around CACOPHONY O’ CRAP!

I hadn’t been to this park in many months – having spared my extremities (and sanity) from the ridiculously bitter cold here in the frozen midwest heartland over the winter months.

And as my inner snarky-side fiercely stepped forward, she shook her head and wagged her mental-finger — in total DISDAIN for the growing Garbage-Garden that was slowly taking over my beloved outdoor sanctuary.

“Were these people raised by WOLVES!?!?!?!?!?”

(Nope. That’s an insult to Wolves, for sure . . . )

I wove my way down toward the water – to a sweet rolling brook that always clears my energy for the day ahead — and perched myself on the bank.

And in a trance, I lost myself in the sparkling beauty before me. That is, until something grabbed my attention. . .

• A sweet sound. . .
• A melody filling my ears . . .
• It was the exquisite music of water bubbling LOUDLY somewhere nearby . . .

And I became profoundly attuned of how much this was ADDING to my experience. Without the intensity of this sound, the moment wouldn’t be ANYWHERE near as deep, rich and soul-soothing . . .

But . . . just then I realized WHAT was making all that beautiful noise!!!!!

Straight ahead, 6 feet away . . .

Something blue . . .

Something round . . .

A weird foreign object wedged firmly between two branches that were draping down into the water. . .

That’s when I chuckled to myself, and a smile widened across my formerly-smug face — to discover that a broken blue DIXIE CUP was the thing causing this stunning symphony!

Yup. A piece of blue “trash” . . . same as all the other crapola that I’d grumbled about on my way to the stream.

And that’s when a ripple of awareness shot through me:

How I label “trash” — is how I label EVERYTHING (especially parts of MYSELF).

Like most people, I have spent a lifetime judging aspects of myself as: Good or bad. Right or wrong. Lovable or unlovable.

Whether we learn it from our parents, friends, teachers or society at large (or we innocently make it up inside our own lil’ wee brains) – somewhere along the way we all got the message that parts of ourselves are unacceptable – and need to be CHANGED.

Over time, I had come to have DISDAIN for the very aspects of myself that made me: beautiful, worthy, special, needed and unique.

Then to overcompensate for that inner “Ick” – I found fascinating ways to cover, cope and hide my true self from the outside world.

(And sadly, I see most women doing the same – usually without even realizing it — because it’s become so engrained as who they think they “are”. Ug. )

Especially for the Entrepreneurs and Unstoppable Women I mentor: these hidden, unloved parts of ourselves can wreak HAVOC on our ability to have confidence, make money, attract clients, or find lasting love. It can make us sick, make us sad, or even cause us to give up on our dreams altogether . . .

All because we were never taught how to TRULY love ourselves.

So that sweet little melodic Blue Dixie Cup singing in the stream reminded me once again that to reject ANY parts of myself is to misjudge (and miss out!) on some seriously-beautiful musicwaiting to be created — inside of ME.

Oh sure, we’ve all drunk the collective Kool-Aide at times — believing that it’s possible to HATE ourselves into happiness! (Yet if that were possible, trust me: I’d be the FIRST to be enlightened by now . . . )

But NOTHING is more toxic than telling yourself that parts of YOU are not welcome in your very own skin.

So, what if all those parts of YOU that you’ve disliked (or disowned) — might actually be your own “Blue Dixie Cup” . . . in disguise!?

What if . . .

• Your critical mind – indicates a powerful ability to notice details and subtleties?
• Your shy sensitivity — makes you a wise, compassionate, intuitive Mentor?
• Your fiery anger — helps you speak on injustices or for those less fortunate?
• Your uber-intensity — ignites passion within others to help create change?
• Your “A.D.D.”— actually reveals a big-picture, creative, trailblazing nature?
• Your jealousy — shows what you really want, so you can go out and get it!
• Your highs + lows — reflect the depth and immensity of your spiritual self?

Oh sure, these may currently be a tad out-o-whack — but with some inner TLC, they may transform before your eyes, like Cinderella going to the ball (except things won’t turn back into a pumpkin at the end).

As I’ve begun prioritizing my own Self Love bigtime over the past 2 years (especially toward those tougher-to-love parts) — I’m discovering that those long-lost icky bits are actually becoming my ALLIES. My greatest STRENGTHS. My very own UNSTOPPABLE SUPER-POWERS.

(Who knew?)

But . . . it’s also the hardest work I’ve done within myself, to date.

So since I find this work to be SO INCREDIBLY VITAL to your future happiness and success — I invite you to try on a lil’ exercise I do every morning ( taking only 5 minutes a day):

SUPER SELF-LOVE EXERCISE

As corny as it may sound (or feel at first): with your right hand on your heart, looking deeply into your own eyes — say to ALL your (seemingly unlovable) “Inner Icky Bits”:

• “Oh angry parts of me: I LOVE YOU!”
• “Oh sad and depressed parts of me: I LOVE YOU!”
• “Oh jealous parts of me: I LOVE YOU!”
• “Oh addictive parts of me: I LOVE YOU!”
• “Oh ugly parts of me: I LOVE YOU!”

(Or fill in the blank with whatever parts of yourself you don’t like, accept or love . . . )

Breath deep. Open your heart. Flood yourself with the brightest shining light imaginable . . .

Repeat these “I Love You’s” over and over and over and OVER! — for at least 5 minutes straight.

(***Want extra brownie points!? = Try doing it NAKED in front of the mirror: it’s Self-Love on STEROIDS . . . )

And most of all: Be patient with the process! Heck, I’m still a MASSIVE work in progress myself. But we’ve all got to remember that we’ve spent a LIFETIME being self-critical . . . yet from my experience: these new loving efforts are WELL worth the work!

Because ONLY love, compassion and tenderness will ever bring you what you truly want.

It’s the key to EVERYTHING. (No exception.)

So I hope you’ll join me, Oh Unstoppable One — and dare to luv yourself up in a way you’ve NEVER done before. Because until you see yourself as Source-Energy sees you (ie: a spark of the Divine itself, incarnate!!!) . . . Your work isn’t done.

So chop-chop! Get to it, oh Luv-Bug-Extraordinaire . . .

‘Till next time. . .

BIG GIANT LOVE XOOX

© Copyright 2018 Stephanie McWilliams LLC