Making Time for Self-Compassion
Pastor Carmela E. Head
The Renewal Center
Time is ticking. Oversights happen and sometimes mishaps occur. There’s a need for a moment to just catch our breaths and regroup. The rat race doesn’t just dissipate; in fact, it kicks into overdrive in most occasions. Minutes turn into hours, hours turn into days, days to weeks, and our weeks roll into months. And so it goes. Our time eludes us and sometimes we look around and wonder where it went. “Where did time go?” we ask ourselves. The intentionality of stopping to smell the roses vaguely charms us only until we realize that we are scraping the bottom of the barrel for left overs instead of creating a feast for ourselves. In other words, there is always “something” to do and always a wheel we must keep turning.
Have we forgotten the essence of self-compassion? There are those times where creating a beautiful tapestry of a “peace-filled’” place and producing a loving atmosphere for ourselves must become intentional. It is imperative.
Surround yourself with positivity, beauty and light. Do something kind for yourself and watch yourself blossom.
I am intrigued by cultivation. Anyone that follows me and reads my blogs will sometimes hear of my mention of cultivation. Although I am not the most refined gardener, I do know a thing or two about gardening and that is, in order for any plant or flower to fully grow it must be nourished. The environment it sits in or is placed in must be conducive to sun, water, the right type of soil and of course, intentional tending. If left alone, from my experience, most flowers will wither. I have come to see how much a flower blossoms in the right environment.
I am finding that I cannot seem to stray from this concept. Self-compassion. What a difference a peaceful and inviting space can make in our daily lives. It give us the necessary fuel we need to become more in tune with our vision and our goals. Self-compassion, allowing ourselves the latitude for growth, exploration and discovery. I have had to go back to the drawing board many times and do some reflecting and revisions, because I missed something or maybe I needed a fresh perspective. Also, I needed to be intentional about seeing things from a different angle. I was able to accomplish this in an active environment encompassing and embracing self-compassion and to get back on track, in right standing through time spent hearing from the Lord in a place and space enveloping His peace.
The prophet Isaiah recorded God’s prophetic words of promise of peace in one of my favorite passages of scripture:
“The fruit of righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever. My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, and in undisturbed places of rest.” (Isaiah 32-17-18 NIV)
The Apostle Paul wrote to the church of Thessalonica addressing them with these spirit-filled words through a benediction:
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with you all.” (2 Thessalonians 3:16 NIV)
In Psalm 23, King David writes about the Good Shepherd who watches over and provides for his sheep. This scripture in particular shares with us about David’s experience of God’s peace and loving care:
“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me besides the still waters. He restoreth my soul. He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” (Psalm 23:2-3 KJV)
Something within me rejoices when I think of these verses. It reassures me that rest and peace are my portion and that these promises are available to me.
One thing I have come to know and to become very acquainted with and that is self-compassion. I have sought to become very intentional about it. It's necessary to bring light and beauty into our surroundings, environment, and atmosphere (whatever we want to call it) so that we can fill our cups. In the latter verse of Psalm 23:5 it says that the Lord anoints our heads with oil and our cups overflows!
It takes intentionality and time to purposely do it (to create this place and space). Oh! The results are rewarding! I have not yet mastered; I am yet evolving and I am always open for growth, but I am endeavoring to stop and show self-compassion when needed.
We can be encouraged to yield to a place of self-compassion through knowing these precious promises are for us to embrace. There is a place and a nurturing space for us to dwell. I believe the Lord gives us insight on how to create the environment we individually need to embrace the peace that we need. Be enraptured in His peace!
The Renewal Center
Time is ticking. Oversights happen and sometimes mishaps occur. There’s a need for a moment to just catch our breaths and regroup. The rat race doesn’t just dissipate; in fact, it kicks into overdrive in most occasions. Minutes turn into hours, hours turn into days, days to weeks, and our weeks roll into months. And so it goes. Our time eludes us and sometimes we look around and wonder where it went. “Where did time go?” we ask ourselves. The intentionality of stopping to smell the roses vaguely charms us only until we realize that we are scraping the bottom of the barrel for left overs instead of creating a feast for ourselves. In other words, there is always “something” to do and always a wheel we must keep turning.
Have we forgotten the essence of self-compassion? There are those times where creating a beautiful tapestry of a “peace-filled’” place and producing a loving atmosphere for ourselves must become intentional. It is imperative.
Surround yourself with positivity, beauty and light. Do something kind for yourself and watch yourself blossom.
I am intrigued by cultivation. Anyone that follows me and reads my blogs will sometimes hear of my mention of cultivation. Although I am not the most refined gardener, I do know a thing or two about gardening and that is, in order for any plant or flower to fully grow it must be nourished. The environment it sits in or is placed in must be conducive to sun, water, the right type of soil and of course, intentional tending. If left alone, from my experience, most flowers will wither. I have come to see how much a flower blossoms in the right environment.
I am finding that I cannot seem to stray from this concept. Self-compassion. What a difference a peaceful and inviting space can make in our daily lives. It give us the necessary fuel we need to become more in tune with our vision and our goals. Self-compassion, allowing ourselves the latitude for growth, exploration and discovery. I have had to go back to the drawing board many times and do some reflecting and revisions, because I missed something or maybe I needed a fresh perspective. Also, I needed to be intentional about seeing things from a different angle. I was able to accomplish this in an active environment encompassing and embracing self-compassion and to get back on track, in right standing through time spent hearing from the Lord in a place and space enveloping His peace.
The prophet Isaiah recorded God’s prophetic words of promise of peace in one of my favorite passages of scripture:
“The fruit of righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever. My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, and in undisturbed places of rest.” (Isaiah 32-17-18 NIV)
The Apostle Paul wrote to the church of Thessalonica addressing them with these spirit-filled words through a benediction:
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with you all.” (2 Thessalonians 3:16 NIV)
In Psalm 23, King David writes about the Good Shepherd who watches over and provides for his sheep. This scripture in particular shares with us about David’s experience of God’s peace and loving care:
“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me besides the still waters. He restoreth my soul. He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” (Psalm 23:2-3 KJV)
Something within me rejoices when I think of these verses. It reassures me that rest and peace are my portion and that these promises are available to me.
One thing I have come to know and to become very acquainted with and that is self-compassion. I have sought to become very intentional about it. It's necessary to bring light and beauty into our surroundings, environment, and atmosphere (whatever we want to call it) so that we can fill our cups. In the latter verse of Psalm 23:5 it says that the Lord anoints our heads with oil and our cups overflows!
It takes intentionality and time to purposely do it (to create this place and space). Oh! The results are rewarding! I have not yet mastered; I am yet evolving and I am always open for growth, but I am endeavoring to stop and show self-compassion when needed.
We can be encouraged to yield to a place of self-compassion through knowing these precious promises are for us to embrace. There is a place and a nurturing space for us to dwell. I believe the Lord gives us insight on how to create the environment we individually need to embrace the peace that we need. Be enraptured in His peace!
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