Name It. Reframe It.

The world is a wild, wonderful, gentle, ferocious place. Yeah, it’s a place of contractions. Both external and internal. Do you feel the internal contradictions simmering? Do you feel them boiling, edging closer to the rim of your being? Maybe they slip over the edge and splash into the contradictions of the world. 

When that stuff boils over, it scalds away our veneer of illusion revealing a truth that cannot be denied. I am not sure this is the truth we want or even expect. This truth sheds light on our imperfections. I know, imperfection is not a pretty word. It is one that we like to hide from. 

What is an imperfection any way? Two definitions: An undesirable feature. The state of not being complete. But, what if we expanded these definitions? Instead of seeing an imperfection as undesirable what if we viewed it as part of the road map the leads us deeper into who we are? An imperfection isn’t something that makes us incomplete; no, an imperfection is a tool that leads us to our authentic self — it makes us whole. 

I don’t know about you, but I’ve committed to stop running from my imperfections. There is no escaping them. I like to believe that each imperfection that I uncover serves a purpose in my life. I believe that when we name and reframe our imperfections, we live into who we are and better understand the world — people and situations. To sum it up: we become more compassionate to our self and others. 

Okay, so the world is filled with contradictions. We are in this world, so we, too, are filled with contradictions. I see these contradictions as imperfections. I named it (contradictions). I reframed it (imperfections). How do we use the energy of our imperfections to shine the beauty of our soul?

Go a step further in naming/reframing. 

• Name your imperfection. Just name one thing that you don’t do perfect. It doesn’t matter how big or small — just name it. 
• Then dig into the imperfection. What are the limitations? What are the benefits? Take a sheet of paper. Draw a line down the middle. Put a + at the top of one side. Put a - at the top of the other. Set a timer for five minutes. Just write. Don’t think about it. Create a list from what comes to you. There is time for reflection later. 
• After the five minutes, take a look at what you wrote. Find the  truth behind each limitation. Reframe the limitations into learning moments. How do the limitations help you to shift your behavior? 
• Acknowledge the benefits of the imperfections. Then ask: Is there another way to get these results other than reacting from the imperfections? Name how to get the results you want by reframing your reactions to responses. 

The world is a scary place. I think that our imperfections are some of the scariest parts. It is what lies at the root of our so called imperfections that force our reactions. So, how can we shift from living with imperfections to thriving through imperfections? Now means not running away; taking charge. It is about being in the moment and staying in the moment no matter how difficult naming and reframing your imperfection is.  

Vanessa F. Hurst, ms, is a Master Reframer. As a contemplative coach, an intuitive-coach-catalyst, she uses mindfulness practices and intuition tools to create strategies for navigating those scary places. The result? Reframing imperfections into personal transformation. She is a professional speaker & author who weaves inner wisdom into all she touches. Her books are available @ www.wildefyrpress.com. Her most recent book, As Natural As Breathing: Being Intuitive, is available on Amazon. Contact Vanessa for life coaching, intuitive consultations, keynotes, and programs.

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