Hi Friend,
Once upon a time, I wanted to be a movie star, a fancy photographer, a pilot. I wanted to dance on Broadway (I did). I wanted my film, Crazy Sexy Cancer, to win an Emmy (it didn’t). I’ve wanted a lot of things. Some stuff I got, others I didn’t.
Like many folks, I’ve had multiple careers, five to be exact. Then, I settled into writing and chatting with you. To be honest, I like this career the best. Why? Because it challenges me to be real, authentic and vulnerable. Those squishy qualities can be hard to share, especially publicly. After all, everyone wants to be liked. But as I approach ten years of living Crazy Sexy style and yet another book launch, what I know in my bones is this: The more I accept who I truly am, the more I shine like a diamond. This is true for you too.
Chew on this concept with me: It’s OK to accept myself unconditionally.
Here’s your affirmation: I love and accept myself exactly the way I am.
It hurts my heart to reflect back on the multiple times in my life when I felt like I wasn’t “good enough.” I was so very hard on myself. I felt like I had to jump through hoops to be loved and appreciated. Rarely was I at peace with my efforts. I know I’m not alone because I’ve coached hundreds of women who have felt the same. Funny, the few dudes who were brave enough to share their shizzle with me didn’t have these issues. But that’s another topic for another time. Our girls clearly need healthier messages.
If I could wave a magic wand and globally undo the blinding, binding words, “not good enough,” I would. But to be honest, that’s not my job. It’s yours to do it for yourself. But guess what? It’s simpler than you think.
For quite sometime now, I’ve been working on accepting myself completely. All of me. My brilliance, my so-called weaknesses, even my morning breath and most importantly, my dozens of incurable tumors. Now some might say, “But if you accept your disease (or your fill-in-the-blank), isn’t that like admitting failure?” Nope-sy. Unconditional acceptance doesn’t mean that we give up or wave the white flag, that’s quitting. Acceptance means that we let go of who we think we should be and fall in love with who we currently are.
Being at peace with what is creates a vast and holy space for healing. Remember, stress bleeds all life force. Accepting and honoring every ounce of Kris allows me to rest and renew. From that relaxed and receptive space, we gain the clarity and strength needed to create a blueprint for a happy, healthy life.
Let go.
Fall in love.
Heal.
When we accept ourselves exactly as we are, in exactly this moment, we shift from living for tomorrow to appreciating today. Acceptance heals. Rejection harms. Nurture and nourish yourself. Here’s how.
- Develop a connection to spirit
- Allow for quiet time (shhh)
- Forgive (yourself and that jerk)
- Welcome (and tend to) loving relationships
- Release unloving relationships (buh-bye emotional vampires)
- Lay in the sun
- Move your glorious body
- Eat plants (chomp, chomp, yum)
- Breathe deeply often
- Smile
- Repeat
Each time I release a book into the world, I worry. Is it good enough? And then, I remember. Acceptance. I replace my fear with my affirmation. I love and accept myself exactly the way I am (and I love and accept this fabulous creation exactly the way it is!). From that place, I can be present and soak in moments like the one I had while reading the latest issue of VegNews Magazine. Crazy Sexy Kitchen received its first rave review. Thank you, VegNews! They gushed all over the cookbook.
“With Crazy Sexy Kitchen, Carr is arming readers with a laundry list of delicious recipes…If ever there was a vegan chef fantasy team this would be it … Reading the book already feels like you are at the party with Carr and her compassionate cohorts … It’s fun, it’s edgy … Carr, Sarno, and friends have created a lasting tome that’s sure to persuade the palates of innumerable people.”
If you’re like me, you may get squeamish around compliments. You shrug them off or deflect them back to the compliment giver. “No, YOU are great. No, YOU are more great.” However, when we practice unconditional acceptance, we challenge ourselves to say two very powerful words.
“Thank you.”
As my dear friend Cheryl Richardson reminded me on the phone recently, “Life loves you, Kris.” Thank you, Cheryl.
Dear readers, life loves you too. Exactly the way you are. Today. Breathe it in. Ole!
Your turn: What would be possible if you gave yourself the same unconditional acceptance that you give to others?
Thank you Kris Carr for giving me a reason to love and accept myself unconditionally, because I’m Worth It!
Kris.
I absolutely love everything you write, everything you do, and everything you put out in the world. But, with this blog, you decided to let me know that I have also to love everything I WRITE, everything I DO, and EVERYTHING I PUT OUT IN THE WORLD. Thanks for that!!!
Kris- I appreciate your willingness to share your soul with us. You are the definition of courage! I’ve been thinking so much about self care and how important it is for us to make ourselves a priority. Being well allows us to share the wealth with others. Hooray for this message!!
Thank you for this. Today I am struggling. To accept myself as I am seems dis-empowering somehow – like there is nothing that can be done or that should be done to change who I am. My counsler says accept my diagnosis, my meditation teacher says have faith in your purest potential – can both be done at the same time? X
You don’t know, but in this precise moment of my life, your words seem to come from another Voice, and are just landed here on my laptop screen, for me and through you, this morning, this hour, this now. Such a magnificent synchronicity reminds me that no matter what, if your heart says you to write something, or say something or whatever.. you just have to. Because it’s not for you but for someone else, and maybe she is in the other part of the world just like me, which is waiting for that message.
Thank you Kris, from the bottom of my hearth.
All of what you provide on your site and in your books helps energize me and brings back that magic that I miss. In fact, you have shown me the recipe for magic in every moment. I do have a suggestion and that is to develop a fun binder where all your thoughts, insights, websites etc. can be captured and are available for purchase in individual packets. Every so often a new packet becomes available. How about a journal a la Kris Karr? A recipe box and recipes a la Kris. Your stuff is so fun and really helps my day to sparkle. Your meditations are my go-to. When I experience a down day, your thoughts and healing insights refresh and help me balance. Thank you!
What a wonderful, and greatly needed essay on loving yourself. Thank YOU, Kris, for the boost!
Hello,
I was interested in the virtual part-time opportunity. I saw it on your website awhile back, please let me know how to apply. I have worked virtually and just got my Health coach certificate .
Thanks,
Karen
Hi Karen, Please email us at [email protected] for updates on the position. Thanks for reaching out! -Janine, Team Crazy Sexy