One of the hardest things to do in life is to give ourselves grace. Friends and family swoop in and provide forgiveness, understanding and a helping hand when we need it. It’s easy for them to see you’re hurting or need help but it’s harder for us to either admit or submit to the fact that we’re unable to face the world alone.
Needing help doesn’t make you weak, it makes you human. Beating yourself up over the things you’re not good at or need assistance with isn’t going to positively advance your life in any way. Positive change requires a consistent approach, patience and the ability to provide yourself the leeway to fail. The reality is, you will fail. Accepting this as fact is the first step toward making real change.
The past week for me was a rough one. Despite my best intentions, the representation I provided for one of my clients was sub par compared to my own standards. I made a clerical error resulting in negative repercussions. The error wasn’t seriously impactful but it was an error nonetheless. Although I tried to stay positive, it took several days to move on and remove the self deprecating thoughts swimming around in my head.
Rather than providing myself with grace, it was easier to live in the space of self pity and doubt. I had not allowed myself forgiveness from the honest mistake that had been made.
The beginning of a new year marks a time of renewal. We view our lives through the prism of change for the better. How can we improve on who we are and what we’ve done? I’m not saying this is bad; however, as we’re processing the positive changes we’re looking to make, perhaps we should ask ourselves another question. What accomplishments over this past year are we most proud of?
The simple path is the one that leads to unfulfilled goals. One of the more popular goals or resolutions involves getting healthy, whether this means exercise, better eating habits or both. Perhaps you had a stated goal to lose twenty pounds and get in better shape in 2025. Rather than losing all twenty pounds, you were “only” able to lose 10 pounds and work out twice a week. According to the goal you set for yourself, you’ve failed.
Instead of viewing this from the lens of failure or a goal unfilled, viewing it as a goal extended changes your perspective and allows yourself the grace to continue. Continuing the progress you made in 2025 into 2026 recalibrates your mind toward a lifestyle change with no end goal. Anything having to do with our health should be considered a construction project with no beginning or end. The Alpha to Omega of our life if you will.
You may be reading this very article on a phone or tablet you regret buying and are unable to afford. Perhaps it’s the first in a long line of things you’ve bought that have you drowning in debt. Admitting this to yourself is a huge accomplishment in and of itself. Forgiving yourself for your financial predicament is vitally important. Self flagellation of the mind must be kept at bay. Allow yourself the grace to admit a mistake was made and you’re working to make it right.
It’s entirely possible this isn’t the best article I’ve ever written and that’s perfectly fine.
I’m giving myself the grace to work on getting better this time next week.
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