Love yourself.
How many times, in how many different ways, have we all been given this advice? Spiritual gurus affirm that you are one with a glorious universe. Religious leaders exalt your capacity for kindness. Friends and family members assure you of your worthiness. Even the mainstream media has jumped on the self-love bandwagon to sell you the latest and greatest, not because you’re lacking, but because you deserve to have it all.
It’s easy to understand the words. It makes sense to the mind that we are physical and emotional miracles, still unknown in so many ways, a mystery to ourselves and to each other. But when it comes to the part of
self-love, self-acceptance, we balk. We can see the magic in others, in nature, but our hearts are shut off to ourselves.
Why is that?
It depends on your story, your circumstances and the cast of characters in your life. We all have a story. It is a long and complex one - one that began even before you were born. Because, let’s face it, your parents, their parents before them, your friends, your detractors, were also born into a certain set of circumstances, a certain cast of characters, who have a story as well. How those circumstances unfolded, what language your cast spoke, shaped you, informed you, influenced your view of the world and of yourself.
So what did the characters say? What line shows up in your mind, in your conversations, every day, without a second thought?
“I’m such an idiot.”
“I don’t want to bother anyone.”
“I said too much.”
“I’m alone.”
Let’s give it a second thought. Whatever your line is, stop and listen to it. Whose voice is that? And what other story did it tell you?
I've recently discovered this: It's not a true story. You believed it all this time, and in believing it, you did and said the things that made it true. In believing it, you were led to events that showed you your own strength, your resilience, your sense of empathy, your deepest passion and your greatest love. But what it showed you was already there. Already in you. So really, how can you not love all that is in you?
You, who are as dazzling as the centuries-old banyan tree, as powerful as spring, as full of love and promise as a newborn, you, who already are what you need to be...what’s the new story, the true story, you want to tell?
How many times, in how many different ways, have we all been given this advice? Spiritual gurus affirm that you are one with a glorious universe. Religious leaders exalt your capacity for kindness. Friends and family members assure you of your worthiness. Even the mainstream media has jumped on the self-love bandwagon to sell you the latest and greatest, not because you’re lacking, but because you deserve to have it all.
It’s easy to understand the words. It makes sense to the mind that we are physical and emotional miracles, still unknown in so many ways, a mystery to ourselves and to each other. But when it comes to the part of
self-love, self-acceptance, we balk. We can see the magic in others, in nature, but our hearts are shut off to ourselves.
Why is that?
It depends on your story, your circumstances and the cast of characters in your life. We all have a story. It is a long and complex one - one that began even before you were born. Because, let’s face it, your parents, their parents before them, your friends, your detractors, were also born into a certain set of circumstances, a certain cast of characters, who have a story as well. How those circumstances unfolded, what language your cast spoke, shaped you, informed you, influenced your view of the world and of yourself.
So what did the characters say? What line shows up in your mind, in your conversations, every day, without a second thought?
“I’m such an idiot.”
“I don’t want to bother anyone.”
“I said too much.”
“I’m alone.”
Let’s give it a second thought. Whatever your line is, stop and listen to it. Whose voice is that? And what other story did it tell you?
I've recently discovered this: It's not a true story. You believed it all this time, and in believing it, you did and said the things that made it true. In believing it, you were led to events that showed you your own strength, your resilience, your sense of empathy, your deepest passion and your greatest love. But what it showed you was already there. Already in you. So really, how can you not love all that is in you?
You, who are as dazzling as the centuries-old banyan tree, as powerful as spring, as full of love and promise as a newborn, you, who already are what you need to be...what’s the new story, the true story, you want to tell?
RSS Feed