Begin Again for Self-Compassion

Welcome. In this micro-practice, I'm going to share with you a way of helping yourself build a self-compassionate mindset, the belief that you can alleviate your own suffering in any moment by literally beginning again, in this case, by bringing mindfulness to your thoughts and to shifting them. The practice called beginning and now gives you a simple phrase that you can draw on in those moments when you need permission and support for dropping a course of action that is simply not working and trying something new. If you're anything like me, you sometimes find yourself feeling a little stuck or unsure about how you might proceed. After years of writing successfully, for example, you might find yourself unable to write a page that feels worthwhile or you just can't picture how it is that you're going to talk to your partner or your colleague about that issue that the last time you tried ended up triggering one of your most memorable fights or disagreements.

With the following practice, you'll engage a simple phrase that can unlock a path forward in times like this. In time, it can help shift your mindset, increasing your belief that you can, and indeed deserve the chance to start fresh in moments when you're stuck. And that by beginning again, as often as is necessary, you can develop capacities previously unavailable to you to help you survive. The practice is simply to notice when you're feeling stuck, frustrated, self-critical or otherwise in need of a reboot. At that moment, you take a cleansing breath and repeat once, or maybe just a few times, the following phrase.

I too can begin again. Let's try it right now. Recall something that you're feeling stuck about right now, maybe where you're starting to lose energy or belief in yourself about this particular thing. Notice the thoughts and the underlying emotions and bodily sensations that indicate that you need to give yourself extra support toward a mind shift in getting yourself back in stride. From this place, take a deep and conscious breath and then inwardly repeat this phrase.

I too can begin again. Take another deep breath and repeat the phrase. And see if you can start to actually feel in your body that the reset has begun. Thank you for your practice. I look forward to meeting you here again.

And until, then journey compassionately.