The Language of Letting Go: June 23rd

Letting Go of Old Beliefs

Try harder. Do better. Be perfect.

These messages are tricks that people have played on us. No matter how hard we try, we think we have to do better. Perfection always eludes us and keeps us unhappy with the good we've done.

Messages of perfectionism are tricks because we can never achieve their goal. We cannot feel good about ourselves or what we have done while these messages are driving us. We will never be good enough until we change the messages and tell ourselves we are good enough now.

We can start approving of and accepting ourselves. Who we are is good enough. Our best yesterday was good enough; our best today is plenty good too.

We can be who we are, and do it the way we do it - today. That is the essence of avoiding perfection.

God, help me let go of the messages that drive me into the crazies. I will give myself permission to be who I am and let that be good enough. 

From The Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie ©1990, Hazelden Foundation.

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When I insist on 'perfection', then I am setting myself up to fail. Perfection is unattainable, and I know this, so I am actually giving myself permission to eat by expecting perfection! I can't live up to it, so why not eat?

I've learned to love myself, as is, warts and all, and to stop putting unrealistic expectations on myself. Doing the best I can IS good enough, and I am good enough too. In fact, I am better than 'good enough'........I am a child of God and as such, I am beautiful.

For today, I am allowed to be me..........to do things the way I do them. For today, I pray to let go of the messages that drive me into the crazies.  I will give myself permission to be ME!