Just believe
“All my limitations are self-imposed, and my liberation can only come from true self-love.”
- Max Robinson
The following passage was taken from a Hallmark card that a very good friend sent to me. Reading it made my day because I’d forgotten to believe in myself. This reminded me how much I have accomplished. It reminded me to appreciate myself.
In life coaching when a coach gives a compliment or offers support, they’ll often tell you “let it land” … before you shake your head or shrug it off. And this landed for me, big time.
So, if you’ve had a heavy or challenging day, read this. If you don’t honestly resonate with it, what is it that you don’t believe, and why?
Know that somewhere, someone believes this about you. Remember when you believed it.
If you’ve had a fantastic day, read this. Connect these words to the powerfully positive feelings that you are living. Own them. You’re feeling like a million bucks! Celebrate. Absorb it. Let it land.
I think this is a wonderful way to start off the week. Be a friend to yourself and let this land, will ya?
I believe in you…
in your spirit,
your goodness,
in the way that you face each day
with a commitment to your life
and the things that really matter.
I believe in the decisions you make,
in the careful consideration
you give each challenge,
in the perseverance you’ve shown
when others might have given up.
I believe that you possess
an extraordinary strength
and endless reserve of resilience –
even more than you realize.
You are a person of enormous courage,
someone truly special in this world,
a rare and beautiful gift to all of us…
And I hope you’ll never forget that I believe in you!
m
Jennifer Fujita
And so…
Did it land?
What was your reaction? Tears? Awkwardness? A big smile?
Be honest. Don’t pretend it resonated if it didn’t. Own that — let THAT land.
You’re being given a clue. Where are you selling yourself short?
Give yourself some advice, as a friend. What would you say?
On a scale of 1 to 10, with ten being top-notch, how much did this resonate with you?
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“On a scale of 1 to 10, with ten being top-notch, how much did this resonate with you?”
I would have to say 10, and why wouldn’t it? It’s a message of hope, strength and resilience. It’s a beautiful message. I wish someone would say these words to me every single day.
I’ll have to say this particular passage didn’t resonate with me, solely because it was not addressed personally to me. I fully understand how it lifted you though, Davina. When someone says that specifically to me, I can live off that confidence for years, even decades.
I still remember the exact words a friend said to me way back in 1994: “You can do anything you set your mind to do”. This is a cliche written here, but when spoken into my ear with the voice of a close friend, it LANDED.
Thanks for sharing this, Davina. You helped me to remember those words and others too, from other friends.
Hi Davina
First off, I seem to be following Daphne around a lot these days. And even more spooky, I had a very similar reaction.
As written, it didn’t resonate. Something about the ambiguity of the first and second person – “I believe in you” – left me asking who’s ‘I’ and who’s ‘you’? It distracted me from the beauty of the words.
So I rewrote it as an affirmation (changing second person to first) – “I believe in me” etc. – and then it landed. You know that warm, tingling, electric kind of physical landing?
I also liked the Hallmark card quote. Who’s have thought? Hallmark? Words of wisdom?
Ian
Ian Peatey’s last blog post..Top 8 taboo words
Hi Davina,
Words are powerful. So, yes – this does resonate with me. These words are uplifting, and reading them is a great way to start my day.
That said, there is one line I have trouble with – “You are a person of enormous courage,” — Maybe I am, but what about if I’m not. What about if I haven’t really shown courage very much? Do I feel like the whole thing is fake? The rest of it seems to lend itself to what lies within us. And while courage can lie within us – this statement feels, to me, to say that it is something we outwardly project (and what if we don’t?) (what if courage is hard?). I’d like this line to read more along the lines of — ” Within your soul, you possess much courage” – or something along those lines. This is probably being picky – but I kept being drawn to that everytime I re-read it.
Still, all that said – I find it very uplifting. Inspirational words very much do that for me. Thank you, Davina, for sharing this!
And to Daphne – I completely understand what you’re saying as well. Hearing words like this from someone we know makes them exponentially more uplifting – it becomes personal. For me, that can happen if someone sends me something like this, because they thought of me when reading it. It’s still the sames words, written by someone else. But because someone specifically thought of me when they read them – these words have more value to me.
Lance’s last blog post..Sunday Thought For The Day
Oh that is beautiful!!
I always tell my kids that it’s from their own self-worth that everything else will follow. When you love yourself and honor yourself and cherish the person you are, you project a self-confidence that is attractive to others as well.
Always ensure the person you are is the kind of person you love. It makes life much more enjoyable for all around.
Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach’s last blog post..GRAB this free quality OTO script – one time offer!
Hi Davina – This is so lovely and powerful. I’ve typed it out and put it up on my bulletin board to read daily. It’s true, we’re our own worst critic and denier. When we give ourselves permission to be limitless, we initiate a prophecy. Thank you.
Betsy Wuebker’s last blog post..NETBOOKS – LESS IS MORE THESE DAYS
Hi Davina
It is so important to believe in oneself. It’s taken me a long time to realise that – let alone actually do it!
I remember how it struck me when, about 5 years ago, a good friend said to me: “believe in yourself”. I had simply never heard of the concept before.
Juliet
LifeMadeGreat | Juliet’s last blog post..Would You Prostitute Your Blogging Style?
Hi Davina – I also gave this a 10. There’s been times when I’ve been way to harsh towards myself and lately, I’ve stopped doing that. Just because I don’t know everything and I still have a whole heap to learn – doesn’t mean I should punish myself for it all the time.
Cath Lawson’s last blog post..Sleazy Sales & Why Your Neighbours Make You Poor
Davina — This entire post made me take a deep cleansing breath. It felt so nice. I think we all share the desire to have someone who fully believes in us. It’s taken me a long time to realize that this person is ME.
Thanks for this beautiful post :~)
Sara’s last blog post..Is the term Lurkers a bad word?
Honest?
Everything in me was saying: “yeah, sure, like I don’t know who I am” :)
Miguel de Luis’s last blog post..Fat Runners Club
@ Ian, I’m kind of glad you felt the same way. Reading all these other comments made me wonder if I was just being insensitive. As for following me around, be careful you don’t make me so nervous I end up doing something stupid like Stumbling your archive! ;)
Daphne’s last blog post..Do You Have A Personal Creed?
I really enjoyed reading the post and I like both the saying and the Hallmark card quote…
Although when I first heard Hallmark, I was worried because my IT person spent all weekend cleaning computers of people who opened a Hallmark looking postcard spam and damaged their systems.
I was attempting to feel limitless all day and even my walk was in the sunshine before the rain…and then I bent to pick up some garbage on the side walk and the pain came back so severely I was down on my knees on the ground….how have I brought this on myself?
The sentiment is a 10…the idea is a 10….and I love to post these things in front of my face, but I think I am working through something different right now…I loved the picture…Thank you for writing such a encouraging post…
patricia’s last blog post..Sunday Dinner
Hi Vered.
Woohoo! That’s great that you let this land. Compliments, affirmations and words of support don’t get very far if a person doesn’t believe it.
Hi Daphne.
I see what you mean. It can make a difference who says it and what the circumstances are. I’m glad it ignited some old positive memories for you. When I read this I step outside of myself and actually feel that it is being read to me from an outside source. It’s hard to explain, but the words jump off the page (or screen) in this case.
Hi Ian.
Welcome. You’re following in some good footsteps :-) I like how you’ve rewritten this to work better for yourself, and it landed. Yep, I know that warm, tingling feeling. That quote is good isn’t it? I can’t confirm if it is a Hallmark quote though as I just stumbled upon it somewhere. But the passage is definitely from a Hallmark card, written by Jennifer Fujita.
Hi Lance.
I’m glad you resonated with this. I resonated with your comment :-) and so I did some research…
I Googled courage, and this is what I found: “‘Physical courage’ is courage in the face of physical pain, hardship, or threat of death, while ‘moral courage’ is the ability to act rightly in the face of popular opposition, shame, scandal, or discouragement.” I hadn’t thought of there being 2 types of courage.
So I started thinking that courage is easily judged and measured in society and to “own” the title of courageous, we tend to think we have to do something to prove we are courageous. I think we have the courage BEFORE we act… otherwise we wouldn’t act in the first place. We have to believe it ourselves despite what other people believe or what we do, so it does live inside. To believe that we will do whatever it takes to stand up for ourselves, our families or friends no matter what. We will each measure courage differently because we are different stages in our lives and have acquired different strengths.
That’s what your little question did… sent me on a wild adventure — thanks Lance.
Hi Barbara.
Welcome to the party :-) I believe what you say… self-worth and confidence has a way of attracting more… and not allowing less than that in. Your kids are getting some good advice.
Hi Betsy.
Oh, I’m glad you enjoyed this so much. Yayy.
Hi Juliet.
Good for you! Sounds like that was a great friend… and you let her be by “hearing”. It’s funny how things can turn around for us overnight isn’t it? Guess that happens when we stop looking for others to validate us. That’s why (for me) it was important that I could accept this passage as truth. It’s awesome for a friend to tell you to believe in yourself, or that they believe in you, but it’s another for you to believe it too.
Hi Cath.
You’re a ten. I knew it! I think you’re on to something here. If a person spends all their time punishing themselves for what they don’t know… how do they have any time to learn more?
Hi Sara.
Love your comment! Very powerful. I’m taking a deep cleansing breath now… sigh. Thank you.
Hi Miguel.
Honest! Who are you anyway? Tell me more :-)
Hi Daphne.
You, you, you… just being real. Insensitive? Nope. You tell it like it is. You know what resonates for you and you can be honest about it. Do you think you would have responded differently if you hadn’t left the first comment? That would be curious.
Hi Patricia.
Funny, cause I put the word Hallmark in at the last minute… you know… SEO and all :-) Don’t think it made a darn bit of difference though. I’m sorry you had that pain come back so severely. I hope it has subsided by now. I wish with all my heart that this heals for you.
Davina, you got me thinking. I think I would have felt and answered the same way even if I’d read all the other comments first. I would have felt worse while writing it I suppose, because by then I would have felt like a square peg in a round hole. I’m glad you don’t mind an honest answer. At least you know when I gush about stuff it means I really mean it! ;)
Daphne’s last blog post..Do You Have A Personal Creed?
Wow…After a huge week of troubles for me (my mother just found out she has lung cancer) I had to pause on this one.
I give this a 10 but then this scares me. I think “I” believe in “me” too much. “I” convince myself that I have the courage to tackle life and be strong. Deep down I really hurt. Maybe “I” believe too much.
I know the entire content was not meant for the purposes of reflecting right now where I am in life but in overall I do believe many of us do not encourage ourselves enough. I have been that person also. I need to find a balance somewhere in the middle. You know…I need to believe in myself but yet remind myself that I it is OK when I don’t.
Great post and I have missed coming around.
Cricket-Tammy’s last blog post..I Understand Mom
That’s a beautiful message to receive from a friend. It didn’t particularly resonate with me, although a word or phrase here and there seemed to fit. But for the most part, it didn’t feel ike it was meant for me — it was meant for you.
Dot’s last blog post..Akashic Records Reading, Part 2
Hi Davina,
I had a big smile on my face when I read this, and I would say, “thank you I recieve the gift”. Keep spreading this message out, we can never this too many time.
Thank you,
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
Davina, this is such an important message you’re sharing. Whenever I stumble in maintaining the high standards I’ve set for myself, I then have some self-recrimination, then self-reflection, then growth, then… And I’m back on my way, again. I’ve come to realize that this process is about loving and forgiving myself for being human. ;) But learning to do that wasn’t always so easy. The key, I think, comes in your question: “…what is it that you don’t believe, and why?” Emphasis on the “why.” ;) Thank you for offering this to us! ~ Julie
Hi Davina – First time I come to visit, and you give me something to think about. Don’t you know how few brain cells I have :)
Anyway, I’ve read it several times. I read it and really wanted to believe it. Believed it enough that I might have even smiled a bit. But in reality, after so much failure in my life it’s hard for me to put myself up that high. Or to give myself that much “goodness.” Even after what I’ve done over the last year, it’s still hard. Maybe it’s because at this point in my journey I’m still young and expecting failure. Maybe I’m just learning to walk and still have my sea legs about me. Either way, I think for me personally I need a few more successes.
Enjoyed this post immensely and will be back real soon.
Scott’s last blog post..To AA or Not to AA. That is the Question. Final
Hi there Daphne.
Well in that case, I’m glad you left the first comment. :-)
Hi Tammy.
I’m so sorry to hear about your mother. I hope you both have the support you need right now. It’s times like these when it’s important to have strong, caring connections.
It is perfect what you just said… to know that it’s ok when you don’t believe in yourself. I don’t think we’d continue to grow if we didn’t look at all parts of ourselves with our eyes wide open. That takes courage which you obviously have. We overcompensate sometimes when we hurt, to fool ourselves. That can be a good thing when we use it to move past the hurt as long as it is about letting go and not covering up.
Hi Dot.
I understand what you mean, that does make a difference. My intention was for folk to receive it for themselves — read it as if they are giving it to themselves. Which words and phrases did fit for you?
Hi Giovanna.
You are welcome! I’m so glad it landed :-)
Hi Julie.
You’re welcome, I’m glad you enjoyed this. We are so hard on ourselves sometimes aren’t we? Being human is not such a bad thing… :-)
Hey Scott.
Thank you for popping by. And thank you for being so honest! I know you already have a huge success… 365 of them for that matter! What if you didn’t feel you had to “give yourself that much goodness,” but instead realize that it is already there…? My feeling is that is what has brought you to where you are now. That is huge!
I haven’t had the experience you’ve had, but I understand the challenge of letting go of old notions of the self. It’s hard to let go of the familiar. You have a lot of courage.
Hi Davina,
Yes, I did read it as if it were meant for me. The phrases that I found most meaningful for me were: “I believe in you…” and “You are… someone truly special in this world, a rare and beautiful gift to all of us…”
What I dont’ relate to is mostly this: “I believe that you possess an extraordinary strength and endless reserve of resilience – even more than you realize,” because I’ve lived my life relying on my strength and resilience to the point where they were and are exhausted. I would like to hear a friend say, “You’ve done so much, let me take some of the burden off you. You don’t have to act as if you have endless strength. After all, you’re only human. You’ve done enough.” That’s why it felt like it wasn’t for me, but it was for you!
Dot’s last blog post..OpenOffice Extensions
Davina,
This post made me smile! Thanks for sharing this!!! I may have gotten here late – but it doesn’t mean the impact is any less!!!
Kathy | Virtual Impax’s last blog post..An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure
Thanks Davina – it was a 10 for me. I don’t have much trouble believing in myself these days!
Robin’s last blog post..The Journey, With Brandon Bays
Hi Dot.
Well I’m glad you jived with those phrases! You know, someone said to me not long ago that I was trying too hard to take care of myself. It doesn’t give other folk the chance to help if a person tries to be too strong. Do you think maybe you’re so practiced, and look so competent that your friends don’t think you need a hand?
I’ve been reading your blog for a while now, and I know from the stories that you’ve shared that you do have a lot of strength. And I hear you… sometimes it is nice to have someone ask to help, without you having to ask them.
Hi Kathy.
You’re very welcome! The door is always open here, so you’re never late, lol. However, I have decided to have comments turn off after 30 days. So be careful next time ;-)
Hi Robin.
You’re welcome! You’re a star :-)
I heard my husbands voice reading the words as I read them without even trying. It resonated with me. Thanks for sharing. I love getting cards in the mail. I’ve saved each one I got from my mother for the last 15 years, birthdays, holidays and thank yous.
Tess The Bold Life’s last blog post..Magic Mondays Are 1/7 of Your Life!
Hi Tess.
You’re welcome. I’m glad this resonated with you. I enjoy getting cards in the mail too. Ecards just don’t have the same impact.
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