Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Focusing on what is Good and Strong...

So my wonderful Mom/Guru and I were having a chat about forgiveness this morning.

These are her words that ring in my head after our talk...

"Forgive yourself first."

"If you can't forgive yourself, what hope is there for the rest of the world ?"





Her words and the quote from John Ruskin inspired this journal page this morning :

"Do not think of your faults; still less of other's faults.

Look for what is good and strong and try to imitate it.

Your faults will drop off like dead leaves when their time comes."

So the question is now how do you forgive yourself ?

Well, the answer is right there in the quote.

"Look for what is good and strong and try to imitate it."

So on this day, so close to Thanks Giving Day, I decided to look for what is good and strong in my Self and express my gratitude, my thanks, for those qualities. Focus on what is right, and you will get more of it, right ?

Here are a few things on my Good and Strong Kim List :

I am so grateful for the fact that I am learning to focus on what is right with me instead.

I am grateful for how I love with so much of this big heart.

I am grateful that I am always trying to do better.

I am grateful for my openness to see things differently or to take another point of view.

I am grateful for strength that pulled my Soul up out of some pretty dark places and brought it so far into the light.

I am grateful for me, the Child of Light that I am.


Forgive yourself.

Give hope to the rest of the world.

Have a beautiful Tuesday, my wonderful Good and Strong friends !

13 comments:

Sherry said...

Great self portrait...and the journal page is so strong...it beckons and empowers.

Forgiving ourselves...it's one of the hardest challenges. We spend so much time thinking about forgiving others and what forgiveness means, but your wise mother is right -- if you can't forgive yourself what hope is there for the rest of the world?

How do we forgive ourselves...by loving and understanding. By being compassionate and cutting ourselves the same slack we offer to others who have erred against us.

I think when we can say "I am good, I am strong" when we can say "I am a good friend to myself", the rest becomes easier and easier and easier.

Jennifer said...

This is beautiful! I was planning to ask how you forgive yourself :) I wonder because I've pondered it and wondered do I need to remember all my memorable wrongs and tell me that it's ok? Forgiving myself becasme a pretty big project pretty fast, but I love the thought of finding what's good and strong and imitating it. I love this page too.

Thank you for this wonderful wisdom today :)

Cheryl Connell said...

Love the colors Kim! and the message. :)

Cheryl

Kate Robertson said...

Kim,

First the journal page is wowza, is that a word.. really awesome then. I love the self portrait it is truly beautiful, it shows the beautiful glowing self that you are.

I think forgiveness for yourself is hard but your mom is right you do need to start with yourself. I like the idea about thinking what is right with you. I will do that today.

I am feeling a little down today but as always your post has brought a smile to my face and gave me something to think about.

Hugs,

kate

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful picture of you!
It took my breath away. I love the expression...pure, open and loving.
We are so blessed in so many ways and one big one is with each other.
May it always be so.
I love you Kimmy,
Mom

LuLu Kellogg said...

This is such a lovely posting.

I love the journal page and the colors...just wonderful.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours,
LuLu~*xoxo

Karin Bartimole said...

Ahhh Kim, your mom is one wise woman!! I love the creation her words helped to inspire, and even more seeing your beautiful face looking out at us so serenely.
Bravo to all you've placed in your gratitude list - there is so much in you to be grateful for.
Blessing to you this Thanksgiving Kim,
xox Karin

deb did it said...

Kim, this photo of you speaks volumes. You seem so calm, so very much at peace, so beautiful.and oh your journal page!! it's message is very powerful, and so important. Thank you for sharing your BIG HEART with us here.

A Miraculous Meliss said...

I agree with your Mom - you are very blessed to have each other.

You are a knock~out in so many ways!! BAM!

I am always blown away by your pages. Total yum sista!

~Happy Turkey Day~
Melissa

Commuter's Journal said...

Stunning! The entire post knocked my socks off. I'm going to need new socks if you keep doing this, Kim. ;-) The art, the quote, the portrait and the words of your mom -- a lovely pre-Thanksgiving package.

Wishing you a happy, happy day among those you love!

SE'LAH... said...

I like that...forgive yourself and give hope to the rest of the world. I'll embrace that. Thanks Kim.

Kriss said...

I think I recognize that necklace, lovely lady.

Change can only start from within.... yes.

kate i said...

Beautiful words Kim. I too have made the decision in the last year or so to focus on what is right and strong and beautiful rather than what is broken and needs to be fixed.

It's much easier to let go of the struggle and just embrace the love!

...and your blog is so filled with love! Thank you.