Contemplative practice is welcoming Reality as it is, and finding truth, goodness, beauty, holiness, healing and love in that reality. This includes welcoming all that is true, good, beautiful, holy, healing and loving within ourselves, Christ birthed in and through our own being. The idea of affirming our own giftedness is simple enough, but it may not come easy, especially for those who did not have a father or mother figure that reflected the Real in you back to you. If you find that you struggle to accept the image of God in yourself, or if you want to heighten your awareness and willingness to welcome your unique ability to reflect the Divine, we invite you to pray one of the following affirmations to yourself, or make up your own affirmation, repeating it slowly several times. Hear the voice of God in the affirmation: I am proud of you. I delight in you. You are chosen. You are beloved. You are light. You are a source of blessing. You are free. You belong. You are my masterpiece. You are my child. You and I are one.