I had an experience after my morning qi gong session a little while ago. I was lying, flat out on my back in the center of the temple and I was allowing my mind to wander toward what I was grateful for. I wanted to put out grateful energy as I had experienced a magical day the day before and wanted to ‘attract’ more of that kind of magic in my life. I keep getting feedback from the world that my journey is unfolding before me, in the way “its supposed to.” My challenge now, is to stay in the moment and not get ahead of myself.
In this particular moment, I was experiencing an overwhelming sense of gratitude, one like I’ve never been able to generate before. It was such a unique experience; A flow of love and peace within and all around me, and what I had to do to earn it was...nothing. Literally. I don't know how I could have been doing less.
In this particular moment, I was experiencing an overwhelming sense of gratitude, one like I’ve never been able to generate before. It was such a unique experience; A flow of love and peace within and all around me, and what I had to do to earn it was...nothing. Literally. I don't know how I could have been doing less.
I recognize that many people struggle with the idea of ‘loving yourself.’ The mind distorts the idea somehow, as if those who love themselves are egotistical, or self indulgent or maybe we subconsciously think we're just simply not good enough or unworthy of love. We are always judging (ourselves, our thoughts, what is going on around us) and this judgement gets in the way of what is most important - being present to what "is" and loving yourself in the moment no matter what. I think some of us believe we “aren't good enough” (by SELF IMPOSED standards, mind you) and we should punish ourselves by refusing to give love unconditionally - not a great way to motivate if you stop and consider how flawed that logic is. You don't motivate a child solely by scolding, that makes you the bad guy (more awfulness) and it will likely result in an unhealthy relationship (in this analogy, you now have a bad relationship with yourself and now you feel guilty about it - perfect.
That’s fear, story and ego talking, and when you strip those old thought patterns away, you are left with your real self and you begin to see that you are, indeed, perfect and connected to everything on earth…everything. By not loving yourself, you are refusing to love your family, your friends, your dog, humanity, definitely your spouse...whatever source you believe in, you refuse to love that too.
That’s fear, story and ego talking, and when you strip those old thought patterns away, you are left with your real self and you begin to see that you are, indeed, perfect and connected to everything on earth…everything. By not loving yourself, you are refusing to love your family, your friends, your dog, humanity, definitely your spouse...whatever source you believe in, you refuse to love that too.
So, in fact, you are at a juxtaposition, your ego thinks it will be rewarded by putting yourself last and punishing yourself - that it will drive you closer to your impossible standards and closer to your higher power, when the exact opposite is actually what is happening.
I caught a brief glimpse of what unconditional love feels like and felt connected and grateful, and totally and completely in love with myself. And there was no ego, only love - like I've never experienced, love for and from myself up to the heavens, and everything in between. This glimpse opened my heart to a new understanding. By not loving myself as I am NOW, I am doing a huge disservice to myself, denying the people I love the most, and of course, denying any possibility of becoming the person I was meant to be on this earth.
How can I serve others and live my purpose if I don’t even like myself? I had severed this connection, thinking that by not liking myself, I was being humble or perhaps I used it as a way to gain empathy or sympathy. Empathy and sympathy do not move mountains. They do not make the heart sing. They do not inspire, lead, or create. Love is the only answer. Love yourself, first. In doing so, you open yourself up to love others and the universe and once the gate has been opened, the love flows in like a raging river, sweeping you off your feet and into a world of connection, fulfillment and joy.
I caught a brief glimpse of what unconditional love feels like and felt connected and grateful, and totally and completely in love with myself. And there was no ego, only love - like I've never experienced, love for and from myself up to the heavens, and everything in between. This glimpse opened my heart to a new understanding. By not loving myself as I am NOW, I am doing a huge disservice to myself, denying the people I love the most, and of course, denying any possibility of becoming the person I was meant to be on this earth.
How can I serve others and live my purpose if I don’t even like myself? I had severed this connection, thinking that by not liking myself, I was being humble or perhaps I used it as a way to gain empathy or sympathy. Empathy and sympathy do not move mountains. They do not make the heart sing. They do not inspire, lead, or create. Love is the only answer. Love yourself, first. In doing so, you open yourself up to love others and the universe and once the gate has been opened, the love flows in like a raging river, sweeping you off your feet and into a world of connection, fulfillment and joy.