Last night, I was hanging out in the women’s bathroom at a high school.
(Wow, that sounds a little creepy. However, I had a good reason for being there, as I had just finished watching my ninth-grade son’s basketball game at the school.)
As I was washing my hands in the row of five sinks, two teenage girls came into the bathroom to check their appearance. The one closest to me said to her friend, “Uggh, why didn’t you tell me that I look bad?”
Friends, I could not stand by and let this young woman use her powerful voice to criticize herself. I said, “Don’t talk about yourself that way. You’re gorgeous.”
Her scowl softened as her eyes briefly met mine in the mirror. “Wow, that’s so sweet. I think I’m going to cry now. Oh no, it will mess up my makeup!” She carefully wiped under her eyes as I gave her a smile.
My nine-year-old daughter was listening on, and as we left the bathroom she told me that she wasn’t sure if it was good that I made the young woman cry. I told my dear, empathic daughter that I couldn’t let the teenager be mean to herself. Sometimes we have to cry the “good tears,” and feel the raw emotion that comes from being reminded that WE ARE WORTHY!
When I saw the young woman again later at the concession stand, she gave me a wide, genuine smile, and I took that as confirmation that the tears were worth it for her.
When we give ourselves a foundation of self-compassion, it becomes easier to feel these kinds of “good hurts” and “good tears” to break through to a life of more joy, fulfillment, and radiant self-expression. That’s why the first chapter of Unleash Your Goddess Voice focuses on building self-compassion, not just for how your voice sounds, but in all areas of your life. Here’s a quote from that chapter:
Give yourself the gift of self-compassion, empowerment, and unapologetic self-expression!
Unleash Your Goddess Voice is out now.
You can check out the print and ebook on Barnes & Noble online:
Or purchase it at Powell's, a fantastic bookstore out of Portland:
https://www.powells.com/book/-9798869007858
You can find links to the kindle version and additional online retailers here: