I’m not a perfect person. I’ve cheated, I’ve lied, I’ve stolen, I’ve acted in shitty ways out of insecurity and jealousy, I’ve had affairs and slept with married men; I’ve done a lot of things that were not okay.
I love this cartoon by @dinosaurcouch (Instagram) as everyone has a shadow. Everybody has acted in ways that were not okay. I think we are redeemable however. For me that redemption came from having to take a hard painful look at myself and my life. I had to first admit my mistakes and downfalls to myself, taking accountability for my actions and choices (a very painful thing indeed), then I had to admit those same mistakes and downfalls to any others involved. After that, I had to make some incredibly hard choices so I could end the cycle. Why was I lying/cheating/acting in these ways? What needed to change for me to become the kind of person that I would respect and admire? And, I still have flaws of course. I still get cocky, lustful, wrathful, and envious. I have to continuously keep myself in check as I know my shadow, and, I also know who I am deep down inside. I know what I value. I know what’s right and I know what’s wrong. I truly do love, respect, and admire myself now.
We’ve all done things that were not okay. If you’re not feeling the self-love and self-respect today, I share this in hopes that you’ll see that you too are redeemable. 🫂
Very important concept.