Sin Against Life

 

“The real sin against life is to destroy beauty, even one’s own – even more one’s own, for that has been put in our care, and we are responsible for its well-being.”  —Katherine Anne Porter

A good way to start each day is by asking, “What can I do to take care of myself today?”  To ask and answer that question is to affirm our belief that we’re worth taking care of.  It also requires looking within ourselves with honesty.  Is it hard to admit that we’re struggling?  Or that we’re feeling sick? Or those feelings as rage, sorrow or fear are predominant? Or that we’re working through issues that may be as difficult as incest, sexual, physical or emotional abuse?

Meeting our needs with gentleness and compassion soften the task of being good to ourselves.  It may take a long time of asking, “What can I do to take care of myself today?” before we actually know how to, or want to.  But just as a good parent thinks of how to take care of a child, we can learn to do the same for ourselves.  Each time we do, we move closer to higher self-esteem.

 

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