I softly whisper it to myself every day. Several times a day. A hundred times a day on the harder days – days I’m super triggered, feeling alone, feeling like I’m messing up, feeling like I’m carrying the world on my shoulders.
I whisper it softly in my head to remind my brain that I can get out of “fight or flight” and shift my myopic way of seeing and my harsh way of reacting.
I whisper it softly as a prayer, invocation, invitation across my heart.
I whisper it with my in-breath, breathing it in to every cell in my body, nourishing every cell, muscle, connective tissue. I whisper it on my out-breath, allowing my breath and mantra to release what I am ready to let go of.
“Soften.”
~ Soften the muscles in my body – my brow, my shoulders, my belly, my behind, my knees.
~ Soften my judgment – of myself and others.
~ Soften my eyes – how I am looking at myself, others, this situation in front of me, the world around me.
~ Soften my heart – the physical space around my heart (front, back, sides), the sorrows, the regret.
~ Soften my thoughts – the worry, blame, shame.
~ Soften the gripping, clinging, desire for it to be different, control, the striving for perfection.
So soothing to say, this beautiful, soft word gently and sweetly opens my heart. It shifts me out of “stress mode” and into “slow down” mode, into “nourish and connect” mode. It returns me to a sense of standing in my true power – the power of living from my heart. It fortifies me. It nourishes me in deep, soothing ways. It empowers me to choose how I’m going to live in this moment, with this person before me. And these “moments of softening” become how I live, how I go about my days, how I “spend” love a lifetime.
Blessings,
Lisa A. McCrohan
MA, LCSW-C, RYT
Compassion Coach
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Blessings,
This is a beautiful mantra. I’m very hard on myself, as a mother, as a partner, as a friend. Some days, I need to remember to “soften.” Thank you for this wonderful gift. <3
Nicolina – yes, isn’t it beautiful?! SOFTEN. This has been a word on my heart for a few years now and I totally SEE how I am embodying it more and more – just by having it on my heart. Love to you! Lisa
That is something I really need to learn! Mostly toward myself. Thank you!
Stanley
Stanley, EVERY single person I meet/work with/know could use a dose of self-compassion — of softening their judgment about their own self. Love, Lisa
Very relaxing and with a heartbeat! Loved it! Faithfully Debbie
Debbie, that’s a really beautiful way to describe it — with a heartbeat! Love to you, girl! Lisa
That touched my heart so much that it has become my mantra. Thank you.
Celese, yes, this word has touched my heart, too! It’s definitely my mantra. It comes to me very quickly and easily now in times of stress — the word “soften” that is! Many blessings to you! Lisa
This was something I really needed to read tonight! Thank you so much…I love the word and am going to repeat it over and over. Soften…just beautiful.
Thank you, Sheila. I’m grateful that these words resonated with you this evening. Yes, “soften.” It’s been one of the words that has been with me, accompanying me, for many years now. Love, Lisa