Breath of Kindness: Finding Self-Compassion

"Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all right out, just as they are, chaff and grain together; certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then with the breath of kindness blow the rest away."

– Dinah Maria Mulock Craik

---

My mother had a framed cross-stitched sampler with this quote. It hung on the wall in our kitchen growing up. It was given to her by a dear friend. The quote is often referenced as a description of true friendship. The words illustrate emotions of empathy, compassion, kindness, and tenderness. The imagery reveals the perfect and the imperfect together leading the reader into a connection that offers acceptance without judgement. It leaves us longing to experience this connection with someone.

Longing for Connection & Belonging

What shows up for you when you read this quote? Does a specific person or persons come to mind? Or maybe you are still searching for this connection or belonging.

I stumbled into the quote the other day and as I read it for the 100th time, I was curious. What if I was the person feeling safe and the person with the faithful hand. What if this quote was not just about connection with a friend but a connection with myself? Does this change anything?

Acts of Self-Compassion

I believe it does. It becomes an act of self-compassion. Letting me be comfortable with myself exactly as I am...the perfect and the imperfect. The harsh criticism blows away to loving kindness. In this brave moment, you are recognizing the value of feeling safe with yourself. This allows you to disconnect from the judgment of others to show up in your authenticity and be seen, be heard.

…And then with the breath of kindness blow the rest away.

Shawn