The meditation that gave me an eye-opener!

I did number 3 on the list this evening. I had already done the other three items during the workday 🥰

I meditate occasionally. More often when I'm alone. I've written a bit about how I'm not good at being home alone. It's something I'm working on, as I've mentioned. In that regard, I played a "become your own best friend" guided meditation while I was home alone. That's when it clicked for me! I've written about how I believe I can control my thoughts to some extent and that I should be kinder to myself, among other things. I've also pondered why I don't enjoy being alone as much. It's true that not everyone is a big fan of solitude, and that's okay, but I want to figure out why it's like that for me. That's exactly what this guided meditation provided me with—an answer!

I'm not friends with myself! It's crazy to say that. I'm me. Of course, I'm friends with myself. However, as the soothing voice continued its narrative, it dawned on me more and more that she was absolutely right! I don't like being alone with myself because I bully myself! I'm simply a bully! And I'm my own victim on top of that! What am I telling myself on a daily basis? Am I saying kind things? Am I praising myself? Am I telling myself that I've done a good job? Or that my skin is beautifully radiant today? (It actually is sometimes. I've started using a new face cream that feels fantastic.)

But, NO!! I don't do any of that! I lament my bloated stomach and tired face in the evenings. I criticize myself for not doing something right at work. I repeatedly point out the mistakes I've made lately. As if it serves any purpose at all! No wonder I don't enjoy sitting alone with my thoughts! I would NEVER speak to my friends the way I sometimes speak to myself. Or to someone I meet on the street, for that matter. Sometimes I'm simply so mean to myself that it's actually surprising that I still talk to myself.

So now, folks! Now I'm going to treat myself the way I treat my best friends! And I am actually a good friend. So it should be nice. I'll compliment myself about my hair now and then, boast about my efforts at work, and maybe throw in a little "I'm proud of you, Miriam!" in there. Maybe then I'll start appreciating my own company. Because I'll show myself that I'm valuable.

The soothing voice that guided me through this meditation asked me, "What would you wish others to say to you?" So I pondered that for a moment. I receive a lot of support and compliments from people. I don't feel like there's anything specific I need to hear, really. But I should probably think more about how I speak to myself. Because if I uplift myself and praise myself, to myself, I don't need to wait for compliments and support from others. I give them to myself. So when others give them to me, it's on top of the kindness I've already shown myself. It's pretty amazing if I can actually achieve this! Then I'll have a new best friend!!

I hope you find a best friend within yourself too. Or maybe you've already done that! If so, LUCKY DUCK!

Translated by Kari Boisvert