BARNACLES
I wrote Barnacles one February day.
It is a timeless message of the power of self-compassion, of coming to terms with the parts of us that we struggle to love, until we find healing and self-acceptance.
If you are struggling with self-compassion, perhaps something in this short reflection may touch you.
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BARNACLES
‘People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway. If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway. For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.’ Mother Teresa
As we go through life, many of us tend to acquire barnacles. They may be small ones or they may be calloused, hardened with time.
If we are lucky, the day comes when we see and feel our own barnacles, and find the necessary tools to remove them. Some compassionate self-awareness, a healthy dose of honesty, and a touch of spiritual grace, watered with daily forgiveness and unconditional love.
We acquire our barnacles from suffering, often at the hands of others. But as we heal ourselves, and rediscover our joy, we come to realise, as Katie Byron might say, their barnacles are not our business. As Mother Teresa says, it was never between us and them anyway.
And when we feel angry at the atrocities inflicted on the innocent: beast or man, it is good to remember the intentions of Mother Teresa:
When asked why she did not become angry with those who perpetuated the suffering for those she tended, she replied felt that if she took sides…she could not be what Jesus had told her to be – love to and for all….if she started correcting and pointing out sinners, she could no longer be an instrument of love and reconciliation for them.
She said humiliated and defensive people do not change.
On this February day, let’s remind ourselves with joy, that to create better conditions for our planet, our people, our wildlife, we must lead with an example of love, not the barnacles of hate, and allow those who cause suffering to want to change.
Blessings