Happy New Year-Now Shut Up And Be Quiet! Slow Down, Strive Less And Accept Yourself As You Are….

What better time than after the holidays to take a deep breathe and well, be quiet. There is no reason to wait until moments of transition and confusion to examine and reflect on our lives. Wouldn’t it be easier to do this when we are not in the throws of change that so often signals a time to reflect? So ditch your New Year’s Resolutions list for now.

Just take this challenge. Here we go…..
I challenge you to just sit quietly for 10 minutes every day. That’s it. If you are convinced that you don’t have 10 minutes to spare, that is the perfect place to start. Reflect on why you won’t make time for yourself.

What do I mean when I challenge you to reflect? It’s looking at all of your life; the good and the bad. The happier moments and the sad ones. And of course, everything in between. You start exactly where you are. There is no right or wrong. We all have our own unique way of dealing with what we have experienced, seen, heard or felt. This isn’t about judging yourself but rather about just observing with total acceptance. Almost as if you are an outsider looking in as a witness. It’s what is also known as mindfulness.

We are a checklist society. We love it when we are crossing things off. Seems we are always going somewhere. But really, have you arrived in your life? Now take a pause and be kind to yourself.

No matter what is going on in your life, there is only one way to deal with it. With compassion and empathy. Practicing acceptance will make your life so much easier and help you to see whatever you are looking at with more clarity. Please note, that doesn’t mean that you are settling for what doesn’t feel right. It means accepting and acknowledging exactly where you are without criticism.
I recently interviewed Tara Brach, author of “Radical Acceptance” on my radio show “TALK WITH FRANCESCA” on WWZN Revolution Boston. Tara says that: “Accomplishing for the sake of accomplishing is often driven by feeling not good enough. Being on a treadmill where fear drives our busyness goes against a life based on loving and being loved, being present in the moment and not having to prove yourself.”
So take the challenge; 10 minutes daily and just to cut you some slack, do it during breakfast tomorrow. Have two eggs, sunny sideup with a side order of kindness. See you ate breakfast and reflected at the same time. Who says multitasking is all bad?
To hear how to be more present in your own life, listen to Tara here.

      Radical Acceptance

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  • […] Interview with Tara Brach, PhD, author of Radical Acceptance: Boston-based radio show host Francesca interviews psychologist and spiritual teacher Tara Brach on how to be free from “the trance of unworthiness” and cultivate what she calls “radical acceptance.” I listen to Tara’s podcastsmost mornings to help me start the day on a more mindful and compassionate note. Click on the link to the podcast near the bottom of the page to access the interview. […]