Adaptation Part 5
June 3, 2025
Adaptation Part 5
Self-affirmation is a beautiful way to adapt to circumstances that challenge our self-worth. We may lose an election, a job, or a relationship; we may fall short of our aims. We may do something that shames ourselves or hurts others. Despite the many ways we can lose our self-esteem, instead of letting circumstances define us, we can adapt to reality through self-affirmation.
Genuine self-affirmation means facing the truth of who we are in all our shortcomings and positives, “warts and all." It does not mean we boost our self-worth by looking at ourselves through rose-colored glasses. Instead, genuine self-affirmation is an honest look at our intentions, efforts, and how well we love without judging ourselves on outcomes. Our inner values and intentions when in the sacred place of the soul, are the core from which we operate. If we come from the soul instead of the false self, we are affirmable. If we act from an unhealthy ego and come to realize this, we are forgivable and therefore affirmable. But if we do not realize this, we punish ourselves needlessly.
Self-affirmation means embracing one's positive characteristics without feeling it is too prideful to do so. Shame and a sense of failure may overcome us, but our lives are not shameful, nor have our lives been failures. Remembering and re-embodying our assets spark us to see the lovable self we are.
Kathryn was full of shame about some poor choices she made. She denigrated herself terribly. But after becoming conscious of her self-punitive attitude, she pulled herself up by returning to her essence. By going back to her soul child, she recalled her essential goodness and re-embodied those beautiful qualities at the core of her being. She said, "My soul child saved me from self-condemnation. By imagining that beautiful and precious little being of mine, I feel her purity and innocence. Knowing she lives at my core gives me tremendous affirmation, even in the darkest of times. I am committed to protecting her because she is me.”
Spiritual practice: In your mind’s eye, look at your soul child. Notice the qualities of goodness they have. Embrace that child and re-unite with those qualities that have been inside you all long.
Self-inquiry: How do I adapt to the reality that I am worthy, even when my inner critic is raking me over the coals?
Dear God,
I pray to affirm myself by looking at me through your eyes of total acceptance and compassion. I am grateful for all the priceless qualities you placed in us at our making that can never be taken away. Amen
