Hi, and welcome to your Daily Mindfulness.

Today we're going to talk about

how to choose growth over fear.

So when we train in mindfulness,

we're training in becoming more aware.

And that means becoming more aware of

everything, not only the things that we

like about ourselves and the world, the

things that are pleasant and enjoyable,

but also the things that might be

more unpleasant or difficult to see.

Things we may not like, things that might

even be uncomfortable or even a bit scary.

Now this might sound like a

bit of a strange idea, right?

That we would ever want to

bring our attention to the

things that are unpleasant.

But the paradox here is, is that

it's only by shining the light of

awareness on what we might call

the darker parts of ourselves

that we can be set free from them.

Now this is a really big part of

how we grow and heal as people.

But we really do need to

see before we can be free.

Now we have this habit, a lot of

us, you know, sometimes we avoid

or ignore things that we don't

like, or we find difficult to see.

Sometimes we push them down or

distract ourselves from them.

But when we do this ongoing, we

often stay really stuck in old

patterns, you know, and our potential

to learn and grow is stifled.

And we affect ourselves, others and

the world around us with unconscious

behaviors, you know, behaviors

influenced by what was laying just

beneath the surface of our awareness.

So by looking at ourselves, honestly,

gently and courageously, you know,

being open to seeing the things we don't

like or hard to face, and we'd bring

into full consciousness, things that

can be healed, changed and released.

We often become a lot more

kind in the process too.

So we might begin practicing

mindfulness thinking that it's

going to help us rise above all

the difficulties see in our lives.

But after some time we realize

mindfulness is not about escaping

all that stuff or getting rid of it.

It's about meeting those challenges

when they arise with compassion, grace

and inner strength as best we can.

So as much as possible, not seeing

the uncomfortable or the unliked

parts of ourselves as an obstacle

or something to reject or be afraid

of, but rather as opportunities

for healing, growth and awakening.

And in this way, each time you find

yourself facing the hard stuff,

you're choosing growth over fear.

So as always thank you for your

practice and your presence here.

We truly appreciate it.

And now let's settle in

for today's practice.