The Rise Up Restored Podcast Christmas Gift this year is an episode on self-compassion! Tiffany and Becky are joined by licensed and experienced therapist Shelley Dunford-Hardy. Shelley's Master's degrees in Clinical Psychology and Spiritual Psychology have brought greater focus on self-compassion as an important tool in her work as a therapist. Shelley shares how research has shown that the most important relationship any of us can have is with ourselves, which is why self-compassion is so vital for all of life's ups and downs. Shelley reminds listeners that pain is part of the human experience. Remembering this can transform our pain into a moment of connection with other people and ourselves. Becoming aware of our pain, and the mindfulness to just be with our pain and suffering long enough to respond with care and kindness helps us move into the healing. Self-compassion is learning to treat ourselves as a friend and ally and this is all about growth. Once we are grounded in self-compassion, then we can become open to compassionate self-forgiveness, which is teased for an UPCOMING episode on the podcast.