What if we viewed ourselves through lenses of grace and compassion?
What if we viewed ourselves through lenses of grace and compassion?
In my work with individuals and groups, I often see a common pattern: we view ourselves through lenses of impossible standards and harsh judgment. So often, we set standards that leave little room for being human. We critique our perceived shortcomings, replay moments we wish had gone differently, and push ourselves to do more, be more, fix more….
What if, rather than viewing ourselves through the lenses of impossible standards and harsh judgment we viewed ourselves through lenses of grace and compassion? What if, we softened our self-perception, thoughts, and self-talk? What if, we made space for the full range of our experiences—our joys, grief, growth, and imperfections?
Judgment is heavy. It whispers that we are not enough and we should have done better. It convinces us that mistakes define us and struggle means failure. Grace and compassion offer a different perspective:
We are learning.
We made the best decisions we could with who we were at the time.
Being human is a process, not a performance.
Seeing ourselves through these softer lenses allows us to learn and grow without shame, honoring our evolution instead of criticizing it.
Invitation to See Differently
Viewing ourselves with grace and compassion isn’t about dismissing challenges or pretending everything is fine. It’s about shifting how we relate to ourselves—offering tenderness where we’ve been harsh and trusting that we are fully capable of navigating life’s complexities.
Invitation to Practice
Pause, breathe in and out of your heart for a moment, and acknowledge that you are doing the best you can with who you are and what you have in this moment.
Speak to yourself with thoughts and words that heal rather than wound.
Offer patience in moments of struggle.
Celebrate progress over perfection, even when it feels small.
Trust that you are worthy—not because of what you achieve, simply because of who you are.
Be willing to learn, grow, and expand yourself in ways that align with your values, who you want to be, and how you want to move about in the world.
Invitation to Consider — (I would love to hear what comes up for you.)
What might it feel like to see yourself through lenses of grace and compassion?
Full Disclosure
The other place I see this common pattern of harshness and judgment is in my own lived experience — it is my ongoing work. At times, I notice these patterns creeping into my experience and when this happens I go gently, soften around the edges and allow myself to shift to the lenses of grace and compassion.
If you’re in a season of life transition or feeling the nudge to shift how you view yourself, consider joining one of our upcoming Embrace & Empower or What Now Circles. These gatherings offer brave and authentic spaces to explore self-perception, release old narratives, and step into a more compassionate way of being and moving about in the world.
