By Molly Patrick
Jun 6, 2019,
As I got out of the shower earlier this week, I stood in front of the mirror, and I looked.
I looked at myself and I thought, Molly, you look pretty tonight. Your skin looks good and your body is strong. I took a breath, and I felt deep joy from within that made its way out of my being and curved itself up and into a smile.
As I smiled, deep lines under and around my eyes appeared. The same deep lines that always appear under and around my eyes when I smile. The lines that have always made it slightly uncomfortable for me to smile a huge smile while looking someone else or myself in the eye.
But my joy wasn’t going to allow those lines to steal the show – not this time.
This feeling was sacred and I was oozing with radiant love for myself.
I looked in the mirror, and I smiled even bigger.
This is what happens when you realize how precious you are.
You start to love all parts of you exactly as they are today. You stop labeling them good or bad or ugly or pretty or fat or thin or aging or fresh. It’s just YOU. It’s part of your grand show. Part of your magic. Part of what makes up the unique and awe-inspiring human that you are.
Having unwavering love and acceptance for ALL of your parts can only come from the inside out. Try as you might, you can never get that feeling from the outside in. It doesn’t go in that direction. As a side note, having love and acceptance for yourself exactly as you are right now does not mean you should stop working to support your body and your health. It just means you accept yourself wherever you are in the process.
I can’t speak for anyone else, but I found intense self love and acceptance as a result of finally choosing ME.
When I chose me over and over and over and over again, even when it was hard, and especially when I didn’t want to, I eventually settled into my being with grace, gratitude, acceptance and love.
I chose myself when I quit drinking.
I chose myself when I quit smoking cigarettes.
I chose myself when I went plant based.
I chose myself when I made the decision to get 8 hours of sleep a night.
I chose myself when I stopped looking for happiness outside of myself.
I chose myself when I took responsibility for my future.
I chose myself when I learned to let shit go that doesn’t matter.
I chose myself when I worked like hell to break my codependency.
I chose myself when I stopped diminishing exactly who I am in order to make other people more comfortable.
I chose myself when I committed to a daily movement practice.
When you choose YOURSELF and you start showing up, love will start growing inside of you.
And when it eventually spills over and out into the universe, it will stop you in your tracks. You will smile. You will hold yourself close, and to ALL of your parts, you will say, thank you. I love you.
When was the last time you chose yourself? Talk to us in the comments below.
Ingredients
- 100 % whole wheat or sprouted bread slices toasted
- Avocado sliced
- Red radishes thinly sliced
- Cilantro chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Lime wedges optional
Instructions
- Gently mash some avocado onto your slice(s) of toast.
- Add a layer of radish slices, then sprinkle with cilantro, and salt and pepper to taste. Hit it with a little squeeze of lime, if you want. (We think you want it!)
Wishing you a happy week. May it be filled with choosing you.
Xo
Molly
20 Comments
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This looks so good. I will have to have some later!
Let me know what you think!
Thank you so much! This resonates with me today. At 48 years old I am finally choosing me, being who I am and not who I think others want me to be. I am working on complete sobriety. I don’t drink every day but when I drink it’s balls to the wall!
I look forward to more inspiration from you ?
Lots of love headed your way!
xo
Molly
Exactly what breakfast is here as long as I am pulling radishes out of the earth.
Yum, yum!
Thank You Molly for this post. It made me cry but also empowered me to question my own beliefs. I want to accept where I am in the process but at the same time I will beat myself up for not being where I should have been if I was consistent with practicing self love. This struggle is exhausting and completely unproductive. I am LETTING IT GO, NOW!!! It’s about time…
YES!!!!
Let that shit go! It isn’t helping, it’s only keeping you in that loop of defeat.
You got this!
xo
Molly
How did you finally make the decision to stop drinking? As you mentioned in your email. I too have very little life in me because of my drinking!
Thank you in advance
Hi Michele,
I understand where you’re at all too well.
I wrote a blog post about my journey a few years back and I did a video about it that you will find towards the end of the blog post.
Check it out here.
Do check it out. If I can do it, you can do it!
Sending you lots of love.
xo
Molly
At 63 I am still a work in progress. Choosing me has not been easy, but I am trying. Baby steps. I always have the best intentions, but keep procrastinating when it comes to putting myself first. My husband and I have been enjoying your recipes, and because they have all been so delicious, it made the transition for him so much easier!(He was a total carnivore until cancer reared it’s ugly head.) Thank you for being so real and inspiring !
Hi Sheila,
Procrastinate no more!
What is the biggest challenge when it comes to putting yourself first?
Molly
Molly, thank you, thank you, thank you! This is exactly the pick me up I’ve needed.
It’s been so long since I’ve chosen me. I wonder if I ever have?
Your words gave me hope and inspiration.
Heading out to buy avocados and radishes in the AM!
Sending you hugs!
Now is the perfect time to start loving up on yourself!
MUAH!
Molly
Molly,
You have no idea how much I needed this right now. I have been struggling with binge eating and comfort eating for over 20 years. I did fad diets when I was younger to lose weight but of course it always came back. I went from being 30 lbs overweight in high school to now I’m 150 lbs overweight and still bad eating habits I’m getting help with a therapist and the LU reset. It all boils down to I don’t love myself for me. I love myself based on what others think and I have to stop. I’m working it, going to take a while but your message has lightened my day and will stick with me. Thank you for all the work that you do to make everyone become their best self!!
YOU are a gem, Mandi.
We are all a work in progress, and as long as we have awareness about the areas we need to work on, the rest will unfold naturally.
I am so proud of you for doing the work!
Lots of love headed your way!
MUAH!
Molly
Molly – Thank YOU for sharing your deep inner thoughts and feelings with us, and keeping it sooo real. That’s what I absolutely LOVE about you and the meal plans. I’m 48 yrs young, and have been prepping and devouring the meal plans for 2 years now. I have lived for others, putting everyone first, before me. However, I made a choice 2 years ago to make that change. I’m so grateful and thankful that I had. Thanks for sharing this recipe, as well as all of the others. I can’t wait to try it! Safe travels. Keep on keepin’ on! :o)
Stephanie!
YOU are so inspiring, my dear! Good for you for choosing YOU!
WHOOO HOOO! It feels so good.
Big hugs headed your way.
Molly
Hey, Molly! Another wonderful post. You’re such an inspiration. I wish I would have pulled the trigger and gotten in with the Lighten Up group when they started. Maybe another group will get going again together sometime. Hope you have safe travels. Super sorry about Luanne’s dad. I lost my brother to pancreatic cancer six years ago. It’s an evil thing.
Hi LeAnn,
Thank you for your kind words. I am so sorry about your brother – it is devastating.
Regarding Lighten Up, there are people joining every day and there are people who purchased the program when we launched and are only now getting started. The beautiful thing about this program is you can start whenever you want and there will always be people who are on the same day (or close to) as you!
The feedback from the program has been amazing and SO inspiring!
Join us here when you’re ready!
xo
Molly