Taking In The Good
Taking In The Good EXERCISE
Our sense of self-worth develops early in our lives, and continually throughout, by taking in love from others and ourselves. When our early environments didn’t provide us with enough of this vital nutrient, we come into adulthood still seeking it. Often from places that aren’t nourishing, sustaining sources. And we can also have protections and habits in place that make it difficult to let in the love and goodness that is available.
Please take out a journal, sheet of paper or open a note on your phone or computer and answer the following questions:
Think about a time when someone said something nice to you or something good that happened to you. This could be recently or in the past. If you’re having a hard time, that’s okay, try to imagine either happening. How would you react right now to this goodness coming your way? Write down whatever thoughts and feelings come to your mind about how you might react.
Now think about something good happening to a friend, or a compliment you’ve shared with a friend about something you like or admire about them. How would you want your friend to respond to this nice thing you’ve said, or this good thing that happened? Write down whatever thoughts and feelings come to your mind about how you would want them to receive this goodness.
Compare how you might receive this same goodness into your own life, and how you might imagined your friend would receive this goodness. If you notice any differences, what do you think is contributing to them? What factors contribute to your difficulty receiving these good things but it being easier perhaps to want it for a friend?
Now write down how you think things might be different if you were able to receive the good happening in your life. How might you feel about yourself?