The word “Admit” has been on my mind. I’m a life coach and I spend my time coaching others, particularly my #1 coachee: my daughter. I use the term “coaching” fairly loosely as life coaches don’t give advice. I knowingly violate that coaching standard, however, with this very special coachee.
We talk daily about life and how we can do things that will enable us to live our lives well (be kind to others, say please and thank you, watch what we eat, exercise, learn to manage our money, try something/fail/try again, “flick it off” when others try to shame us, love and be loved…). So… we’ve had an ongoing dialogue of how important it is to admit to our wrongs and in that process, also admit to Truth, whatever the Truth is (and no matter how embarrassing it is). We looked up “Admit,” and discovered this definition–to admit is “to concede as true or valid.” To admit is also, “to allow entry” –as to a place, fellowship, or privilege. We reveled in those two meanings that, for us, were inter-related: seemingly that when you admit something, you are allowed entry into a place of privilege. Hmmm, is this a reward for telling the truth?! As Believers, my daughter and I have experienced these two meanings together. As we have admitted to something, we do seem to enter into an actual (internal) place of truth. We have both found peace there. No energy required. There is no question or argument over what is true or not true, it just “Is.”
For the first half of my life, I was not one to expend energy on admitting…to anything! Actually, that’s not true (I admit). I did not admit to anything wrong (ask my parents). I did however, admit to anything good (ask my siblings). I took credit whenever I could and I was all about trying to make myself look better than I was. Admittedly, that was not good. What I do admit to is this: I’ve made more mistakes than most and I will spend the second half of my life trying to right those wrongs. Just saying that is freeing. And true. I feel an internal shift of energy—something positive and light. I’m in my second half of life now and I’ve experience many beautiful blessings as a result of admitting, for example, that:
I had a strong need for approval, attention, and “love.” I tried to satisfy those longings in ways that were hurtful and unhealthy to myself and to others. I deeply regret that.
I related inappropriately and co-dependently, I drank excessively, I ate emotionally, I exercised extremely, I spent immoderately, I communicated ineffectively, and I lived rebelliously.
I admit all that truthfully and I surrender fully to the One who created me and satisfies my deepest longings.
I admit I am loved unconditionally.
What do you admit to?