While vacationing this week in beautiful Hanalei, Kauai I
seem to dance in and out of sleep as I adjust to the time change. This morning,
I was awoken out of my dream state with a predominant thought and realization: 'My
personal awakening and expansion is dependent upon my ability to unconditionally
love myself'.
As Valentine's Day fast approaches, we are invited to
romance not only our partners and lovers, but ourselves. How do we do this? How
do we equally turn the attention that is projected outside of ourselves to
inside towards our SELF? I believe it takes awareness, commitment, and action.
Awareness:
How
often are we judging, criticizing, shaming ourselves in regards to what we look
like, what we say, and what we do? Has the voice inside your head repeatedly
claimed statements of judgment, shame, and criticism like; "I am too fat, I am
out of shape, I am not good enough, I am not ...?"
The key to bringing increased self-awareness into our
daily living is to catch the inner critic that takes residence in our head. We
can catch it with observation and detachment. Notice what you say to yourself
when you look in the mirror, observe how you judge yourself quietly and out
loud to others, and detach with unconditional love. A great way to observe with
awareness is to write down all the ways you limit yourself, all the ways you
judge yourself, and all the ways you tell yourself you are not good enough. Go
ahead, write them down in a journal and observe the trend.
As Robin Sharma says, "Better awareness, leads to better
choices, which lead to better results."
Commitment: Make
a commitment to your Self that you will stop the inner shaming, blaming, and
judging. Make a commitment to your Self that you will blanket your inner voice,
body, mind, and spirit with unconditional love. This is a deep act of accepting
who you are without having to change anything.
Action:
This month, choose to take three actions that will demonstrate your
unconditional love of Self. Here are some ideas and suggestions:
- Read my blog entry, "What is your Love Language?"
- Identify your
dominant love language by reading the book, "The Five Love Languages" by Gary Chapman and choose a way
that you can honor the way you experience love for yourself. For example; if "Words
of Affirmation" is your dominant love language, explore some ways that you can positively
affirm yourself this month with mantras, statements, and encouraging words. If "Quality
Time" is your dominant love language, identify ways that you can spend meaningful
time with your SELF this month. Discover what you deeply desire and long for,
explore your passions, give voice to your longings, and write them down.
-
On Valentine's Day, schedule time to romance your Self. Think
ahead and plan some activity or gesture that would give you the love, attention,
and romance you seek. What would make you feel special? What would nourish your
heart? What experience would nurture your soul?
Enjoy
your favorite food
Experience
a micro adventure - take a drive, take a walk in nature, do something new...
Take
a bubble bath
Buy
yourself or pick yourself some flowers (depending on where you live)
Write
yourself a love letter and include all of the things you wish you to hear
Please join me this month on a journey of unconditional
self-love. Make your Self a priority. Bring awareness to how you treat your
Self and commit to shift your inner chatter from criticism to complete
acceptance. When we love ourselves unconditionally, we radiate a new vibration
of love towards others. It is the ripple effect. So, this month if you are
experiencing anything less than joy, love, and freedom with the relationships
you are in, turn the attention on your Self and uncover the love that you have
been waiting for. It all resides within.
To delight in SELF LOVE, please come to Conscious
Conversations on Monday, February 15th at the Golden Door (located
at the Dakota Mountain Lodge) in Park City, Utah. We will be meeting in the
Gathering Room at 6pm. I will be starting the evening with a guided group meditation
invoking the resonance of self-love, followed by inspiring one on one conversation.
With love & light,
