A Path towards Self-Respect
Once again I would like to share with you a small moment in my life and what I have learned from it.
A week ago, I attended a retreat where we slept in tents. I noticed that I had taken to cutting the path to mine. Although I had to walk the shortcut between and under the branches of a tree, hunching, I reached my tent faster… by how much actually? Well, by a few seconds. I laughed at this realisation, and the next time I caught myself taking the shortcut leaning under the branches, I turned back and approached the tent on the beaten path. I lost a few seconds, but how much more comfortable it was!
For me, this simple situation reflects my tendency to rush myself to achieve a goal faster even at the cost of not enjoying the journey. As this example shows, it might be worth giving myself more time, in other words, more respect for my own journey however long it takes. Ultimately: to respect myself more. This is what I took a step towards when I turned back and consciously chose the other way.
Reflect on yourself
- Can you see yourself in the story?
- What does it mean for you?
- Do you also tend to hurry yourself unnecessarily?
- With all this in mind, would you like to change any of your habits?
- How could you be more respectful to yourself?