Tips for Living Wicca: List Your Accomplishments

I notice that a lot of people are just too dang hard on themselves-- they're harder on themselves than on other people. They don't give themselves a break. They spend so much time harping on their failures or mistakes, that they totally take their accomplishments for granted. 

Perhaps some people are taught that pride is a 'sin', and that it's more virtuous to be modest and humble. Thus, giving oneself credit for something seems almost shameful. 

Does any of this sound familiar to you? Is it you, or maybe someone you love?

The problem with this kind of thinking is that it totally crushes the self-esteem. Your self-esteem is important-- it's your self worth. It's how you value yourself. 

Think about how you treat things for a minute: how do you treat some silly little trinket that means absolutely nothing to you? Now, how do you treat things that you value greatly? You probably will notice a vast difference. If you don't value yourself, how are you going to treat yourself?

In Wicca, the Gods are not just who we honor; they are part of us. We are part of them. Everyone has that spark of the Divine within. We are all sacred.

We believe in striking a healthy balance in all things in life. This includes things like pride and modesty. Neither are healthy in excess, but then neither are healthy in absence either. Imagine yourself standing with your two arms out, holding dishes like a live version of an old-fashioned set of scales. Pride is on one dish, and modesty is on the other. Too much of one and too little of the other will have you tipping over. You need to bring them into balance for a healthy, productive life.    

They say it's important for people to have at least one accomplishment of which they can be proud, because it helps to build confidence and foster a health self-esteem. But when we ignore our accomplishments or take them for granted, we miss that little lesson. 

My Tip for You Today: Write a list of your accomplishments. 

Sit down and think about everything you've ever accomplished in your life-- all your achievements, all the goals that you've ever met, anything that you're proud of.

Can't think of anything? Then this entire post is probably about you-- of course you have accomplishments! Start thinking of small things, like something you learned how to do: can you sew? Cook? Garden? Play an instrument? Not everyone can-- congratulations!

It might be personal goals-- have you learned to balance your checkbook and juggle your finances successfully? Have you gotten a good job, and become self-sufficient? Have you organized your home, and made it a comfortable and practical space that you enjoy? Have you managed to have a happy marriage for 10 years? 20 years? More? Have you been a loyal caregiver to someone, or a steadfast employee?

The more you begin thinking about your accomplishments, the more accomplishments you will begin to remember. Do not belittle anything, telling yourself that it's 'not a big deal'... every single thing you have personally accomplished is something others have and continue to struggle with. 

Put your list in your Book of Shadows, journal or on the fridge-- and begin adding to it regularly to remind yourself of how much you are truly worth!

Share some of your accomplishments here!