Sometimes, it feels like everything is crumbling, but perhaps it’s falling into place—we haven’t seen the bigger picture yet. Often, the most profound breakthroughs follow the deepest breakdowns. I’m sharing this today because I must remind myself of that truth.
I’ve come to recognize the importance of attending to my needs more. As many of you are aware, I serve as a coach specializing in trauma, addiction, and personal awakening. It can become effortless to dedicate ourselves to our clients, often at the expense of our self-care. When we fail to prioritize our healing, we ultimately experience distress—a reality many of us in the healing professions know intimately.
Life is a tapestry of joy, sorrow, and everything in between. Recently, through some honest self-inquiry, I uncovered a painful truth. I worked with two remarkable clients who were struggling with sobriety. Despite my efforts over a year, both lost their battles and passed away. Though I thought I had processed this loss, I now see that I’ve been subconsciously blaming myself for not doing enough. Over the past eight months, that guilt has quietly eaten away at me. It might seem irrational, but grief can warp our perceptions, especially for a sensitive soul like mine.
I must forgive myself—just as I teach my clients to do. Self-forgiveness is one of the greatest gifts we can offer ourselves. Realizing that my inability to forgive was tied to a mistaken sense of identity has made it possible to let go and move forward. A quote that has deepened my journey is:
"The Source (God) does not know forgiveness because God is Love, and God cannot forgive because IT has never condemned." ~ A Course in Miracles
This reminds me that our ego and the toxic shame of our flawed self-perceptions are the only obstacles to experiencing unconditional forgiveness. In truth, only we stand in the way of our healing.
Today, I embrace self-forgiveness and will nurture the inner healing I passionately encourage in others.
Sincerely,
Paul Noiles
Comentarios