"For many years 'the trance of unworthiness' kept me feeling deficient as a friend and daughter, parent and partner. It fueled doubt about my capacity as a therapist and teacher. And when I faced severe physical illness, it initially triggered self-blame: 'What did I do wrong to get so sick?'
Yet this very suffering - feeling deficient and disconnected - has been my most fertile ground for waking up. It has led me to a spiritual path and practices that I cherish. And when I get stuck in painful emotions, it brings me a repeating realizing, an insight that has profoundly changed my life: I have to love myself into healing. The only path that can carry me home is the path of self-compassion.
It doesn't matter if I'm caught in anger, fear of failing at something important, a sense of self-doubt, or loneliness. And it doesn't matter if I am facing yet again challenges to physical mobility and well-being. The healing medicine always has some flavor of care, compassion, or forgiveness. On some level, I'm telling myself, 'Please, be kind.'"