We as women have been socialized to apologize for everything we do. It pops out of our mouth like a reflex. What do you say (well, in the before times) when you pass by someone in the store? Not excuse me, but SORRY. Usually in this weirdly murmered, half eye-contact sort of way. What do we say when we volunteer an idea in a group? “Sorry, but I was just thinking…” What do we say when we take a cookie off the cookie tray in the presence of another person? “Sorry, I just couldn’t resist…”
When we feel the need to compuslively apologize for actions that are well within our rights as a real human person, we are giving away our power, and we are giving ourselves a message about our own self worth. YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO THAT COOKIE. Go crazy even- have TWO! You are allowed to have an idea or to disagree with someone. It’s just as much your world as it is theirs!
Take a mental inventory about how many times the word ‘sorry’ slips out of your mouth today, even in the world of social distancing. Think about the times you find yourself apologizing? Are you actually sorry? Apologizing when we aren’t actually sorry robs true repentence of its power, while at the same time telling yourself that your presence, your thoughts, your needs do not matter.
And so what if you take the last donut. Let’s be honest, you probably bought them anyway! Give yourself permission today to be a full-fledged human, who doesn’t need to have permission or forgiveness for doing what you would like to do. Trust your inner self to know that you aren’t being selfish by acknowledging your needs and wants. Give yourself the dignity you allow others freely.
JoyPlusGrace 