The greatest Love
The beginning point of true realization of our glorious nature; is self-love, self-acceptance, and self-appreciation. So often we think this is an Ego exercise – or a dip into the narcissistic pool of reflection. This couldn’t be further from the truth. To have complete acceptance of ourselves as we are now, with our so-called imperfections and flaws, is required before we can go further in our understanding of who we truly are.
Our judgement and self- criticism is far more familiar and far too often, our go to position. We might acknowledge something good about ourselves and then immediately add a “but I” to the acknowledgement. We can’t seem to distinguish between pride and true self-love. It is not one and done – it’s a process and it may take a lifetime considering how many years we may have spent in the opposite corner. To see our own beauty, our divine potential and our true loveliness challenges us at the deepest levels. And it’s the only way to begin to recognize ourselves beyond personality, and experience.
Years ago I attended a conference hosted by Louis Hay – as many of you know, she was a renaissance woman. A publisher, speaker, writer – and all in service of people loving and healing themselves to enjoy life. She introduced us to mirror work. Basically, we received a hand mirror that says Life Loves You on it – and we were to look into it daily with love for ourselves and all that we are capable of expressing. There were many groans in the room of several hundred people, and it was one of the more uncomfortable exercises I have ever done. As a practice I highly recommend it- until you can look in that mirror and see beyond your wrinkles or bags and see instead a light and a spirit shining beyond appearances.
Compassion for others and for life has to begin with that same compassion for us. The discipline of knowing that we are so much more than we can see – and to know we can call it forth faithfully each moment.
The video that is included is a beautiful example of self-love and healing that is necessary for each and every one of us – please take the 10 minutes to watch it and to give yourself the gift of total self regard. You are worth it!
