Goodness.
Let’s start with some homework today: (handwritten) What’s your definition? Because your definition is very important here. Write it out. Make a list of attributes you would assign to a “good” person. Who do you know or know of that has these attributes? How do you know? Now your definition, is it realistic, attainable? Are you good based on your definition?
Here are a few steps I like to take to remind myself of my goodness, especially when I have forgotten or the world may be sending contrary messages.
- Look at your list of “good person” attributes. Which ones do you know that you have? It’s between you and you, so don’t be afraid to admit.
- Include the things from #1 above and write a complete list called “What’s good about me.”
- Write down the moments that you most remember feeling good. What would have to happen in order to create more of those?
- Read your list each morning, or when you feel down about yourself, so keep it handy!
- Since it is my gratitude challenge month I want to add this, but also encourage you to keep doing this forever: each morning or night- write 2 things you are thankful for- first one about yourself and then one about someone else. You can write more, but this is the minimum standard.
Do you ever struggle to see the goodness of others? Do you ever notice first what you perceive to be “not good” about a person or judge them for not being a good enough person? It’s okay, this is just a sign that you probably aren’t recognizing your own goodness enough. And you can change that starting today. Once you get into the flow of seeing yourself as fully good, you will begin to see a lot more good in others, as well. And we can use a lot more of both of those right now.