Day 89: Perfectly Kind
“Today I affirm that there is nothing in me but love. This love comes from total acceptance of myself and the understanding that I am a perfectly imperfect human being.” – Jackson Kiddard
What if I told you that in this very moment you are perfect, would you believe me?
You are perfect even with your perceived imperfections.
I’m not quite sure why it is so difficult for most people, myself included, to believe that they are perfectly made, perfect in this moment, even with their flaws, mistakes, regrets and perceived imperfections. How can we change? What can we do so that we believe we are perfectly made, perfectly kind, perfectly loved, just as we are?
I teach a tween yoga class, and the other day I introduced ahimsa to the class. Ahimsa can be translated as nonviolence in thoughts, words and actions. I like to think of ahimsa as kindness; kindness in thoughts, words and actions. I shared with the children how even our own thoughts can be “violent” towards others and ourselves. I received many curious and confused expressions. So I asked them to close their eyes and listen to the little voice inside their head. I asked them to think about that voice and to pay attention to whether it was kind or mean. After a few minutes, I asked them to open their eyes and to tell me one thing they could say to themselves that was kind and loving and one thing they could say to another. Most of the group had no problem sharing what they could say to another, but when it came to self talk, almost every single child drew a blank. One girl finally understood and was willing to be honest and vulnerable to the group. She shared that she could tell herself that she was good enough just as she is. It was brilliant!
With so many messages and images reinforcing the fact that we are not enough, that we are not perfect just as we are, we must tell ourselves and those around us that they are in fact perfect in this moment. Perfectly human, perfect beautiful beings with love, kindness and vibrancy. By embracing ourselves, we will be able to live ahimsa, to live in kindness.
Jennifer Palazzo
Photo Courtesy of Photo Courtesy of FreeImages.com/JohanVanDenBerg
4 Acts of Kindness 