Are there parts of yourself that you don’t like?
Have you ever felt that you were not enough?
When it comes to our performances we are often very hard on ourselves, we compare ourselves to others, and we tend to be caught in a web of negative thoughts and self-judgment.
This short story can help us challenge the voice of self–judgment so that we can start seeing what we consider our flaws from a different perspective.
A water bearer in India had two large pots – one was perfectly made and the other one had a big crack in it – which he carried every day to draw water to bring to his master’s house, each one hanging on the pole he carried across his neck. The perfect pot never leaked while the cracked pot always leaked about half of its water and arrived only halfway full.
The perfect pot was very proud of its accomplishments and what it was able to do while the cracked pot was embarrassed by its imperfection and sad that it was only able to do half of what it had been made to do.
For two years, the cracked pot went on feeling miserable until it finally got the courage to speak to the water bearer. He said, “I am ashamed of myself and want to say I’m sorry for only being able to deliver half of my water because of this crack in my side. Water is always leaking out all the way to the master’s house and because of this I am causing you more work and less recognition for your hard work.”
The water bearer had compassion on the cracked pot and told him to take notice of all of the beautiful flowers along the way when they return to the master’s house that day. The cracked pot said ok and on the way back, saw all of the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this made him happy for a moment but he felt bad, when once again, they got to the master’s house and as always, he had leaked out half of its water. He apologized to the water bearer a second time.
The bearer said to the pot, “Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on the other pot’s side? That’s because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you’ve watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master’s table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house.”
Like the cracked pot we are familiar with self-judgmental thought patterns and we often sink into harsh self-dialogue.
How can we stop this process and start developing a more accepting and compassionate attitude towards ourselves?
What if can welcome our ‘annoying’ parts and make them our strengths?
The definition of mindfulness is paying attention to our present moment with non-judgment, and an attitude of kindness, curiosity and acceptance.
Mindfulness then can help increasing our awareness of self-critical voices, and it teaches us that thoughts are just thoughts.
If you would like to cultivate compassion and recognize your own worthiness with mindfulness follow the facebook group Mindful living with Giulia Imbastoni Coach, and if you are ready to follow a program, you can participate in the the first free session of the program Mindfulness Group Coaching program. If you want more information about dates and times, make a request using the contact section.
A good journey and good practice to all of you!
Written by: Dario D’Ambrosa
Supervision and editing: Giulia Imbastoni
Source for the photo: https://unsplash.com/