Your Worst Enemy

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You are your own worst enemy. Take a good, hard look in the mirror and see the person staring right back at you. There are additional adversaries in your life perhaps, yet the one person who holds the most power over you- is you.

The one who doesn’t let you grow, who can’t seem to find the courage to maximize your true potential, the one who continuously berates and belittles you silently, is yourself.

We are the biggest hurdle in the path of our self-actualization. We are the greatest barrier to our true success. We are the ones creating the limitations and restrictions, which take up extensive space in our minds. 

The ones who we assert won’t forgive us, won’t accept us, won’t find favor in our actions- are not as significant as you think. For if you truly retrieve the memories of years bygone you will discover that you’re the one who can’t forgive yourself. 

You can’t forgive yourself for the mistakes you’ve made, the mess ups and mishaps and misfortunes that (you think) you have generated for yourself. You can’t forgive yourself for your human limitations, for all that which makes you the beautiful person you are.

When I discovered that and glanced in the mirror I found enormous truth in this thought-provoking realization. I cried. The reality hit me square in the face, right on target. Because all I needed when I was facing the challenges of life was my self-love, my self-acceptance, and my belief in myself. I falsely speculated that it was the other’s forgiveness I wanted when I was honestly looking for my own.

Facing this enemy is a lifelong struggle! That is perhaps the greatest challenge we all confront. We all want to reach greater heights, whether be it in our career, relationship, parenting, etc. yet the inner critic inside of us will never be at peace when we are happy. It will search for reasons to make you feel unworthy, unloved, and uncomfortable in your skin.

Once you realize what you’re up against the struggle has already gotten lighter. For now that you know whom you’re confronting you can try to conquer it.

Be kind to yourself. Practice gentleness and compassion. Treat yourself like you would your beloved. Talk to yourself with passion, sensitivity, and kindness. For, after all, you can convert your greatest enemy into your very best friend.