“YOU ARE SO MUCH MORE THAN ENOUGH.”

Each one of us, although integrally the same matter that makes up the astounding energy of life, is beautifully unique, outstanding, miraculous. Yet most (if not all) of us have a huge deficit when it comes to self-belief, and when we feel weak, fearful or triggered it comes out like a werewolf bearing sharp teeth and ready to pounce. When we feel good and strong it lingers in the background teasing and threatening us to strip us of our bliss. It tells us we are “disgusting,” “terrible,” “unloveable,” “stupid,” and “insert your word or phrase here”. All the bric-a-brac and outright lies have become ingrained in our collective mind and even become a crutch when we are terrified or angry or hurt. After all, it’s easier to just self-blame than to acknowledge the pain at the source of our negative beliefs about ourselves. So how do we attain unlimited self-affirming moments when we are busy being our own worse enemies? We are all so much more than enough, and thinking otherwise does not need to control us, nor does it need to have a place within our sacred bodies. So for those tough days when we encounter the vicious metaphorical werewolf, below is a little reminder of what we can do to protect our vulnerable and precious spirit. Here are five crucial steps on the path to self-love and that allow the spirit to move away from insecurity, doubt and fear… with the goal to one day eradicate self-hate forever. 1) Honor Community. If we open our eyes wide enough, we’ll see that we are blessed with incredible support and camaraderie everywhere we look. Opening up to the profound truth and love that is humanKIND can ease so much pain, and help dissipate our doubt. It takes a village. 2) Be Grateful. Although being very sick put me face-to-face with my fears and insecurites, it also reminded me how fortunate I am for this beautiful if flawed life. Every day I feel teary-eyed gratitude for the outpouring of love and generosity that blesses me. Having a happy and healthy son is my livelihood that helps me get stronger with every breath. The list goes on and I know yours does too. 3) Breathe deep & Connect to Nature. The breath is not only what sustains and nourishes life, but it is also that which makes each one of us eternal. An effortless inhale glides into a releasing exhale and neither ever really begins or ends. Breath heals our self-doubt by bringing in room for compassion and devotion to self and others. So is nature in it’s vast, limitless essence. The mountain’s crest and valleys boundlessly roam, the horizon beyond the ocean’s waves and its water beneath remind us of our own magnificent souls, those that came before us, and those that will live on long after we cease to breathe. 4) Give Yourself Love & Praises Start reminding your wounded parts just how magically awesome you are, even if you do not believe it yet. When I came home from the hospital, I started a habit of sticking up neon fun-shaped affirmations in my apartment to help me heal. They say things like “I am surrounded with love,” “I am important”, “I am wonderful”, “I am free”. I get to see these wisdoms staring at me every day. Make a point to remind yourself of how special you (and others!) are. Do it as often as possible. 5) Practice: Meditation, Joyful Movement, Yoga Meditation allows us to do less in order to recognize that we are so much more than our limiting beliefs dictate. We hear the dark thoughts and then we allow the breath to shield us. Most meditators find that they end up much more effective at doing good and being content when they learn to UNDO. When we move our bodies through intuitive dance and other joyful movement, we learn to LET GO of our attachment to self-effacement and fear. Yogis practice learning to BE in the poses, to embody a certain effortlessness in the strength and grace of the practice. To create space and eventually let go of the fixation on whether we are indeed “enough”. To breathe through pain and hurt and love and joy without attachment on whether it’s good or bad, right or wrong. To practice non-judgment and ahimsa (non-harm). When we “die” in Savasana, we get a glimpse of a heavenly place ruled by acceptance and peace. I distinctly remember that first time I rolled out my mat after months of being too sick and in pain to practice. As I laboriously flowed through cat-cows and warriors, it was like beginning again with a newfound appreciation of the power of yoga to facilitate letting go and residing in utter beauty. “Atha Yoganushasanam”. Now begins the yoga. We are forever beginning again and yet evolving, making space for what’s new and yet been there all along. What would life be like, how would it feel, to know at a heart and soul level that each one of us is whole and complete? Whether our history has taught us that we are not enough, this is simply untrue. We have and will always be SO MUCH MORE THAN ENOUGH. So let’s start living and speaking this truth. By Jo Ducey