This week I’m writing again about a wildlife experience and the invitation it brings for self-kindness.

Scarborough has been very blessed this summer with visits from dolphins. Over the years, I’ve worked at staying calm when I’ve missed one of the more spectacular moments. Each sighting is a blessing, and every visit is different. But when they are animated, performing acrobatics, it is truly awesome.

Last week, a large pod of about thirty dolphins passed through Scarborough. I only reached the sea-front in time to see the last ones swimming off in the distance. On a whim, I decided to drive along the coast, hoping to see them further along. Chasing wildlife is always a gamble. There is no certainty they’ll appear, only a best guess based on direction and pace.

My mindset on the drive was a little challenging. Thoughts arose: “What if it’s a wasted trip?” “You could be wrong.” “You have other things to do.” Meanwhile, my kinder, more compassionate inner voice offered encouragement: “It’s an adventure with wildlife. Enjoy it. No result necessary.”

As I approached my cliff-top destination at Filey, my phone pinged. Dolphins had been seen again in Scarborough. Had the pod I hoped to see returned, or was it another group? A wave of disappointment surfaced, along with the unsettling feeling of possibly having made a mistake. Even on wildlife adventures, we are not free of the human tendency to dwell on negatives.

I decided to stick with my sense that the dolphins might appear and told myself that, whether or not they did, I could still enjoy the spectacular scenery at Filey Brigg and the suspense of waiting.

It didn’t take long. Within half an hour, binoculars in hand, I saw splashes in the distance. The dolphins were heading my way. The delight of seeing them was matched by a private “high five” for handling my inner dialogue with kindness.

The pod moved in three groups, around twenty-five in total. It’s always a joy to witness their grace and beauty as they surge through the water. They weren’t breaching much that day, but some stopped to feed at the end of the Brigg, tossing fish into the air. Watching them was a simple, profound pleasure.

This week’s self-kindness invitation is to notice any negative inner dialogue you may have, especially when there is uncertainty. Reframe your thoughts, be on your own side, and accept your feelings as part of the human experience. It isn’t easy, but developing this kind of self-kindness can profoundly enhance your sense of well-being.

Good luck in exploring your own inner compassion.