Joyful January Day #19: Brag List

Write a Brag List 

Late last year my little man and I had a meal together and chatted, I wrote this as he spoke.
 

What are you proud of? 

When we are in a giving profession, like teaching, we get good at celebrating the success of others by tuning into what they love and value. Often it is harder for us to celebrate ourselves in the same way. In many cultures we are taught that celebrating our successes is bragging and boastful, so we shrink and play small in order to avoid being seen negatively. Inflating our own self importance, especially when we are under the pressure of comparison, isn't healthy and nor is it helpful for building strong relationships but this is not what we are doing here.

Today we are encouraged to write a list of things we are proud of and to display it somewhere we will see it often. We are focusing on acknowledging our achievements and strengths because this is a kindness we can show ourselves. This is an exercise about ourselves and for ourselves, it has nothing to do with what others consider an achievement or measure of success. 

Acknowledging our achievements and strengths can help us develop a healthy self image. When we have bad days or tough times, which is just the ups and downs of a normal, rich life, we now have a reference point to know that despite the current circumstances we are worthy and have value. We don't need to rely on others to feel worthy, we know this for ourselves. It is a powerful gift. 

Do you struggle with celebrating your achievements and strengths? I struggled with this today too. 

One way to make a start on your own brag list is to consider your values and think of times when you have acted in alignment with them. 

Another way is to think about goals you have had over the years and where you have achieved them, or learned something along the way to reaching towards them. 

Also think about failures and when things have gone wrong, how did you grow from that? What did you learn? Who are you now from that experience? We learn as much from our failures as we do from our successes, perhaps more. And what comes from that learning may indeed be cause for celebration. 

Once you have your list, read it, consider it, meditate on it. This is what displaying it is all about, it is something that you will see and reflect on at different times and in different ways. There may be new understandings about yourself that could come from this. You might even add to your list. On those tough days it can be a reminder of your value and your values! 

Always remember that you are already worthy, you always have been and always will be. 

Thinking about the last year, this is what I am proud of. 
Not an easy task, but was worth the effort. 

This Joyful January project is part of the Happy Healthy Teachers Matter Online Summit. Restore your health, boost your wellbeing and embark on a happy healthy lifestyle for 2021

That is exactly what the Happy Healthy Teachers Matter Online Summit is all about. YOU having the knowledge, skills, support and most importantly the WHY to make your health, energy and vitality a priority for 2021 and beyond.

22nd - 24th Jan with 17+ heart centred wellness experts and a 3 hour vision board online workshop (recordings available) Find out all the details here: please follow this link: https://www.spectrumeducation.com/happy-healthy-teachers-matter-online-summit-home/ 

Click here for a link to the Joyful January Calendar