Morsels

The Puzzle

By Mike Hall, November 24, 2015

Debbie realized it was the one thing that was missing.

It haunted her like a ghost in the attic. A voracious reader, sometimes she would stumble upon a quote or story that spoke to her heart and reinforced what she knew all too well. Then, like a New Year’s resolution, she would declare to herself that, starting today, she’d be more accepting of herself.

This commitment would last, at most, ten days until Deb failed the perfection test. There’d be a little miscue and that familiar toxic voice would begin in her head. You know….the one that is both judge and jury always ready to pronounce a verdict of not good enough….guilty of less than desired.

Debbie married a wonderful man (Greg) and he saw firsthand what this insatiable voice was doing to her. To celebrate their tenth wedding anniversary, he surprised her with a trip to Carmel.

A romantic dinner at Cantinetta Luca provided Greg with the perfect opportunity.

He looked into Deb’s eyes and said words she’d remember forever. ‘Debbie….I want you to know that you are the best thing to ever come into my life. To me, and the kids, you are not just enough, our world revolves around you…..you are like the sun that rises each morning and gives us life and warmth.

There really could never be another you, honey.

From now on, how about you let us be the judge and jury? Our verdict is unchangeable and right on the money…..you are soooo beyond enough….we look forward to every day with you and want you to know that we’ve found the missing piece to our puzzle and it is you!’

Debbie felt like the size of her heart had just doubled.

Greg pulled a gift box from the pocket of his suit and asked Deb to open it. She loved the beautiful string of pearls and they’d always be a reminder of this special evening and the man who made her life complete.

The quote printed on the card inside read, ‘“A moment of self-compassion can change your entire day. A string of such moments can change the course of your life.”

Love always,

Greg

**  For those like a young cowboy who wrote this and need to still that toxic voice, here’s one more terrific quote.

 

“Today I began to criticise myself and look at myself with a judgmental eye… but then instead of going all out in that direction, I stopped and I began to understand me. And then I began to be patient with me. And then I began to feel a softness in the middle of my chest. So then I concluded that I can understand and be patient with me, just like how I am always understanding and being patient with everyone else. Why? Because I deserve that, and more.”
― C. JoyBell C.
The quote ‘A moment……can change the course of your life’ is by  Christopher K. Germer