24-111 Self-Reliance

The Mandala Lady, , , , , , , ,

Self-Reliance

“the ability to depend on yourself or your own abilities”

I learned at an early age to be self-reliant. I grew up with the attitude “I’d rather do it myself” or “I can do it myself” or “I want to do it myself”. And because of that, I worked well at jobs where I was left alone to do my work. I was know for being able to get things done on my own, that I had initiative. It has served me well over the decades.

Unfortunately, it has made it difficult for me to ask for help because my self-worth was heavily tied into this notion of being self-reliant. If I can’t do it myself, something must be wrong with me or I’m not good enough to be able to do it myself.

Whenever anyone sees me having difficulty with something and they try to jump in to help (when I didn’t ask for it), I admit I get triggered. Intellectually, I know that people genuinely want to be helpful…it makes them feel good to help others. I know this because _I_ feel good when I’m able to help others.

So for me, I love that I’m primarily self-reliant and at the same time I’m needing to re-write my story about asking for or being offered help…that it’s not a reflection of my worth or my abilities or my enough-ness…that it’s okay to welcome the help.

How about you? Is self-reliance a core value for you?

BTW…here’s what it looked like to begin with…

before

joyfully,

Maureen
The Mandala Lady

inspiring and encouraging creativity, curiosity, and play through the art of mandalas

About the 2024 Mandalas of the Day

Each day I will create and post a mandala inspired by one of 366 “value” words chosen randomly. The objective being to discover for myself which ones would best represent my core values…and by doing so, I hope it inspires you to determine your own.

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Published by The Mandala Lady

My Mission: connecting with our Inner Light in delightful, inspiring ways For me, creating mandalas is more than just coloring pretty patterns in a circle. I do it because my spiritual evolution and creativity require it of me. My mandala designs come about within an active meditative state, connected with my higher self, my spiritual guides and nature spirits. Together, we bring into form, mandala art the allows me to re-connect with my own inner peace and joy, letting me explore and expand my own creative spirit to however far and in whatever direction I want to take it. As part of my own spiritual journey, I encourage, and hopefully inspire, others to explore their own creativity, to help them re-connect with their own inner peace and joy. As a means to that end, I make all of my mandalas available for people to color. Why should I have all the fun?

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