Treat your inner world like a work of art
Imagine your inner life as a painting that has lived through bright sun and rainy days.
The colors are still there, but some places need cleaning and care. Being patient and
kind to yourself is not about pretending the scratches do not exist. It is about learning
how to conserve what is beautiful while gently restoring what has worn thin. That means
you do not scrub at the canvas when you feel messy or overwhelmed. You begin with
light, careful attention, just as a conservator would.
We often try to fix ourselves with harsh force because we want quick results. That
impulse can show up in many areas, including money decisions, schooling, and health.
It can even show up when you are trying to solve a short-term cash challenge and find
yourself researching a title loan on a classic car. Whatever your situation, the goal here
is the same. Treat the person in the mirror like a valuable piece under your care, not a
problem you need to erase.
Caring for a painting starts with respect for its history. You do not scold it for the
scratches it picked up in a stormy year. You note them and decide what kind of gentle
work might help. Your story deserves that same respect. Patience grows when you stop
treating your past like a mistake and start treating it like texture.
This week, my preschool class and I experienced a heartbreaking reminder of how important it is to show kindness and support during difficult times. Our sweet front desk lady unexpectedly lost her mom, and my Pre-K 3 students wanted to do something special for her.
Since young children don’t always have the words to express sympathy, I created a simple, heartfelt coloring card they could decorate with love. It gave them a way to show they care while practicing empathy in a developmentally appropriate way.
I wanted to share this free printable with you, in case your little ones ever want to brighten someone’s day during a hard time. Just print, color, and let the kids add their own special touches. 💐
