Being Full of Yourself – The Greatest Gift You Can Give

I have a counseling practice, and I help a lot of people on a day to day basis.  I’ve followed the Conversations with God material for years and incorporate it in my work at every opportunity.  Part of my job is to show my clients how wonderful they are, what a gift they are to the world, and that they are not their “problems.”  What I’m having trouble with is getting myself to believe that about myself.  I seem to have this resistance to accepting anything good about me, and every time a client thanks me for changing their life, tells me how great I am, I am quick to turn it back to them, make it about them.  I just have such a hard time acknowledging the good things about myself, no matter where they come from, without feeling conceited or arrogant.  I know there’s some learning for me here, and I’m more than open to hearing your thoughts, please!

Savannah, N. Carolina

Hi Savannah,

Bless your heart for the work you do.  I know you do much more than what you’ve just outlined for us but that part is perhaps one of the most important gifts you can give to others.  And you’re very wise for recognizing that you haven’t yet given it to yourself, and that there is some “learning” here for you.

We have been conditioned for years by our parents, grandparents, churches, and all sorts of sources to not speak well of ourselves, to not brag or boast, etc.  Along with that we all know a person or two who can’t seem to get enough of talking about themselves and how great they are, which can often be received as annoying and we say that person is “full of him/herself”.  Between those two factors and probably many others, it’s quite normal for you to have this resistance to acknowledging yourself and owning your own magnificence, and you’re certainly not alone in that (just think of all the clients that come to you!).  But it doesn’t have to be that way, and the other side of the coin holds gifts and opportunities beyond measure, and not just for you.

In my experience and observations a person who brags all the time and comes across as arrogant and conceited is actually overcompensating for something, and you can smell it a mile away.  However, it is quite a beautiful thing to witness someone who is indeed “full of him/herself” in the way I believe God intended for us to be, in such a way that couldn’t possibly be interpreted as arrogance or conceit, but instead a joyful experience of a person owning and loving who they are without apology.  I’m guessing you know a person or two who has accomplished this as well, yes?  And, being that you’ve undoubtedly helped facilitate this process in others, you’ve seen the incredible impact this kind of self-love and appreciation has not only in the individual’s life, but the lives of their loved ones and even the world at large. You see, Savannah, it is not only in our best interest to acknowledge and own the beauty and brilliance that each of is, it is our responsibility.  It is our gift to the world.

So this begs the question, what on earth are you waiting for?

Here’s an exercise to help you:

~ Make a list of your own magnificence.  List as many things you can think of that are great, wonderful, and extraordinary about you, and do so without a thought towards sounding arrogant.

~ Write or talk about 3 examples where your magnificence really came in and brought about something very powerful for another soul.

~ Also, from a future perspective, ask yourself the following: what will it mean for you to fully engage your magnificence?  What will it mean for your life, the lives of the people you’re in contact with, and the world at large?

This is a profound exercise.  In fact, my own coach just gave it to me as my homework recently, and I have already given it to two of my own clients.  So complete it first for yourself, Savanna, and then pass it on.  Let’s see just how many people we can get to own their own magnificence, to see and live the very best parts of themselves freely and with joy.  The benefits of this are literally endless.

— “Accept yourself. Love yourself just as you are. Your finest work, your best moments, your joy, peace, and healing come when you love yourself. You give a great gift to the world when you do that. You give others permission to do the same: to love themselves. Revel in self love. Roll in it. Bask in it, as you would the sunshine.” ~ Melody Beattie —

(Nova Wightman is a CWG Life Coach, as well as the owner and operator of Go Within Life Coaching, www.gowithincoaching.com, specializing in helping individuals blend their spirituality with their humanity in a way that makes life more enjoyable, easy, and fulfilling.  She can be reached at Nova@theglobalconversation.com. )

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