Being gentle with myself has become a practice. I used to drive myself so hard and expect so much of myself that it was truly unkind. I had no idea how hard I was on myself. I’d lost perspective. This is the case with many spiritual students that I meet.

Gentleness is one of the 10 Characteristics of God’s Teachers in A Course in Miracles.

We start with ourselves.  Speaking kindly to ourselves is loving and when we’re loving, we’re more likely to remember who we are.

Gentleness is healing. It’s an expression of our divine and loving nature. I find that many would never say or do to another person the things that they say and do to themselves. Too often we can be so unkind with ourselves without even thinking or noticing. Even if no one knows what we’re doing to ourselves or what we’re saying to ourselves, we still feel ashamed about it and we carry that with us into every moment of our day.

Let’s put an end to that.

Expectations are disappointments waiting to happen. Why set ourselves (and our loved ones) up for failure? It’s like living on an UN-merry-go-round. Gentleness can get us out of that vicious cycle because gentleness is loving and Love is our healer.

I’ve discovered many ways to be kind to myself and I’ve found them to be simple and healing. Rather than deprive myself of the things I enjoy, I cultivate them. I love fresh raspberries, and going for a swim in the ocean. I love to have dinner with a friend and to play a game of cards. It’s easy to think there’s too much to do and there’s not time to take a break. We can put it off and put it off and that makes for a punishing life of little variety.

Gentleness for me, is taking a bath instead of a shower. It’s giving myself time to take a break and walk around the block or sit in the sun for 15 minutes.

I find that there’s often a sweetness and gentleness in nature.

Many people enjoy those qualities in being with the animals in their life – cuddling with a dog or a cat can bring out our playfulness and our gentleness.

So many participants in my classes tell me it’s life-changing for them to start calling themselves “darling” and “sweetheart” as a helpful way to begin to change their self-talk. We can be gently encouraging with ourselves.

Consider what you would do differently today if you were going to be more gentle with yourself?

If you’re going to practice gentleness, will you give yourself more time to get ready for work so you can arrive on time without rushing and feeling worried? Does it feel gentle to pack your days with so much to do?

In your practice of gentleness would you plan to eat your lunch in a leisurely manner in a beautiful place?

What feels gentle to you that you can add to your day? What difference will you being gentle to yourself make in all your relationships with co-workers, loved ones, acquaintances and anyone you happen to meet today? Trust me, they will feel your Self-gentleness and know that you are a person who might be safe for them to be more themselves – which means more loving and more gentle with you!

What goes around, comes around. Let’s send waves of gentleness around the world and watch it catch on!

Sattva came home!  In case you read my Daily Shot of Spiritual Espresso yesterday and were wondering if my cat came home, he did.  I was up until about 1:15am doing other things hoping he’d return and then I got the intuition to go ahead and go to bed.  I woke up suddenly out of a deep sleep at 2am and his tracker said he was home.  I went to the door and there he was.  Safe and sound after a walk about where he went 1 mile away and was gone for four hours.

RETREAT!  Let’s get away together and have some fun while we’re having a lift-off!  Early-bird on now!  Power of Love In-Person Retreat Memorial Day Weekend in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina!  May 23 to May 26 – Come away with us!  From the very first retreat I led back in 1998, people have been telling me that these retreats are life-changing, mind-expanding, heart opening – and OF COURSE THEY ARE!  My intention is so strong that we have an amazing experience of transformation while also having fun, remembering to laugh and enjoying ourselves together.  Let’s have a wonderful time together up in those glorious Blue Ridge Mountains, doing our spiritual work and playing, having fun, eating delicious food, getting spa treatments and relaxing in spiritual community together.  Things are so intense right now – let’s get a way for along weekend and open ourselves to new insight and inspiration.  We’ll anchor the Highest Vision for our life and let go of limiting habits and beliefs.  The mountains alone are worth the trip!  Let’s play!  Click here for more info!

My Prayer Power Class started Monday!  You can get the instant download of Part 1 right now and then join me for the next 3 classes.  If you’d like to become a powerful person with prayer, consider joining me in this 4 week class.  For many, these prayer practices that I teach have been completely life changing, just as they have for me.  Give yourself the gift of this power tool and you’ll benefit the rest of your life!  Class begins today!  Prayer is the one spiritual practice that I value above all others.  

NEW ACIM PODCAST EPISODE: my topic is The Secret to True Prayer. There is a secret to true prayer, that’s so simple people don’t realize how healing and effective it is. True prayer isn’t about asking for things but about remembering that we already have everything we need in God and diving deeply into that knowing. In this week’s episode, drawing from The Song of Prayer, I unpacked the heart of true prayer as an offering, a letting go, a deep resting into Love itself. I shared my living experience of transformation, shedding the old, and embracing true prayer. True Prayer has healed my mind and transformed my life. It is a power tool!

IT’S NOT TOO LATE! – 75% off! 9 Months | 9 Teachers | Just 99. If you’re ready to dump the old habits that drain you mentally, emotionally and physically, and replace them with habits that support you and increase your capacity for being loving and feeling connected to Spirit, come join me! We’re gaining REAL momentum this year! Change Your Mind About Your Self – new program! With Gary Renard, Alan Cohen, James Twyman, Lisa Natoli, Mark Anthony Lord, Jon Mundy, Terri Wade, Rev Myron Jones and myself. Click here to learn more and get the instant download of yesterday’s inspiring workshop!