This week I have been seeing my past mistakes. My past bad fashion choices. My past failure to put my artwork first. My bad communication. My failings. 

As I have been repainting this 12 step series I have found a redeeming grace in this mass of mistakes. 

It is this: If you don’t have contrast you can’t see the distance and depth of a composition. If the tones are too much the same, the painting becomes bland and uninteresting. 

We need to see our shadows and light. 

If we “pretend” that we are monks that have never experienced mistakes, we will live and present an empty dishonest life. Self honesty is the key to feeling peaceful and alive. 

We need mistakes to learn. 

We need mistakes to feel success.

We need mistakes to learn bravery. 

We need mistakes to learn unconditional self love.

Mistakes mean we are moving forward. Uncovering them shows that we are a person of depth. 

Picture yourself at all different ages? Can you see your victories like stars in a vast night sky? 

Think of a time when you experienced hurt. Whose fault was it. Can you learn from it? Can you gather this hurt inside you and expel it. What would your body feel like without the old hurts? How could you feel – if those hurts didn’t define you as failure or a victim? 

See your younger selves. Love them. Give them each grace. They were functioning from the knowledge they had. 

Give yourself permission to function from a new story. 

Your new story is that you are a Masterpiece. A rich universe. A library of experience. A person reborn. 

Pray for help with this and then listen and act on what you feel impressed to do.

Next watch for miracles as you do your best to follow the impressions you’ve received. 

As you acknowledge the light and dark of your character you will see your abilities increase. You will have more compassion for yourself and others. You will forgive yourself more readily and forgive others. 

You will have peace.