We live in a culture that often defines our worthiness by how thin or fit we are, what job we have, what kind of car we drive, how much money we make, etc. These external levels of appraisal only take into account the outer shell of who we are. They don’t recognize the inner qualities each one of us has.
Have you ever sat across the table from a really beautiful person on the outside, but on the inside they weren’t much to look at? Enhancing our inner radiance is just as important—if not more so—than focusing on our outer appearance.
Inner radiance is what is unique and true about you. Every one of us has an original combination of talents, strengths and weaknesses. The make-up of each person combined with his or her life experiences and choices creates a special, complex individual.
Outer radiance is what the world sees superficially; it includes how we carry ourselves, how we speak, how we are dressed. We can accentuate this outer picture when we allow our inner radiance and light to shine through.
The mind has a tendency to compare and/or judge our experiences. We might think that we need to be thinner, a better runner, a better student, a better public speaker, etc., but we are often exactly right where we are meant to be at that moment in time.
Another way to think about this concept: I can ONLY be Carley. I can’t be someone else because everyone else is already taken. My choice is to accept and love myself for my strengths and weaknesses, and work with what I have. Only from a place of kindness and acceptance can I move forward. Compassion, not criticism, is the best motivator towards change.
Did you know that tapping into your inner radiance is the first step toward getting or becoming what you truly want? Yes, it’s true. When we whole-heartedly commit to loving and accepting ourselves as we are, we can engage more purposefully in achieving our goals.
Sounds good, right? Here’s an exercise to connect with your inner radiance.
Daily Power Practice
- Close your eyes and let your awareness turn inside to your breathing and your body.
- Breathe deeply from your belly until you feel your body and mind relax.
- Think of a time when you felt off balance in the last day or week. See if you can tune into the emotions that you felt when this happened (fear, anger, confusion—it’s all welcome and OK).
- Ask yourself how long you’ve experienced these emotions.
- Now open your eyes and shake it off.
- Bring awareness to your belly through deep breaths. Connect to your strength by recognizing the talents that you’ve been cultivating for years. Feel the many ways that you are a powerful adult.
- Now close your eyes and feel this powerful, wise part of you. Where do you feel it?
As you move into the rest of your day, remind yourself of this wise, strong person that you are. Connect to that place in your belly and let those negative feelings go. Yes!
I’ve found this practice very effective in my life. Try it and let me know how it goes.
Want to learn more mindful practices? Sign up for Carley’s FREE Mindful Training workbook.
