Recently, I saw the following video and was very moved by this man's story. When I thought of what to title this blog, the phrase heal thyself came to mind but I didn't really know what it meant. According to dictionary.com, it is "A biblical proverb meaning that people should take care of their own defects and not just correct the faults of others."
There are so many hurting people in this world. I used to get down about that fact. I would question it. I would get angry about it. I would blame others for it. I would end up feeling hopeless. Now, though, I am simply reminded and encouraged not to judge, and instead to focus even more on showing compassion every single day with every single person I encounter.
It was certainly easier to believe that there are inherently bad people, but I get more and more convinced each day that there are just so many hurting people in this world who don't know how else to live this life except to cope with their pain or try to protect themselves from further pain in unhealthy and often hurtful ways. It doesn't make it right or less painful to those they hurt, and that is certainly tragic. However, we do nothing to help make this world a better and safer place to live by giving in to fear and offering judgment of ourselves or anyone else.
Self-compassion helped me connect with my heart and soul instead of living through a scared brain. After that, I was truly able to offer compassion to everyone else in a way I hadn't been able to before. Fear keeps us disconnected from ourselves and each other, but compassion can help heal even the deepest wounds.
So today, I'll be brief and simply ask you to watch this entire video and consider what pain you may be carrying with you from your childhood, from a past relationship, from a traumatic experience, from a belief you've had about yourself or others, etc. Because if you still carry it and haven't truly healed that hurt, it isn't protecting you by holding on, it is likely hurting you and others. Heal thyself.
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