Loving one’s self is so necessary on a road to recovery and to better. Self-love is something that I, too, continuously work toward, but I know deep down that we will never be able to shame or hate our way to any kind of real happiness, success, or positive impact. I mean, the way I see it, hate and shame pull us in the opposite direction of those positive things. Another point that may seem rather obvious is that self-expression needs to be an authentic and organic self-love. We can’t fake it.
I see self-love starting as a seed within us; a seed that’s always there. Then, when conditions are right, and we nurture and tend that seed properly and lovingly, it begins to strengthen and grow. Fragile and small at first, over time and with enough consistent nourishment and care it will bloom into something wonderful that brings love and beauty to ourselves and others.
Not every seed makes it. Fortunately, we each have an endless supply of these seeds. We have this potential within us. Always.
One of the astonishing things is that this process begins even in the seeming absence of self-love. It can and it does. Someone who sees their life as a trainwreck; or who feels stuck and trapped by shame, or fears, or self-doubt; or who has an old storybook filled with a bunch of past failings—even they have these seeds. And by learning to practice compassion, gentle awareness, and forgiveness, they can see the seed of self-love begin to germinate.
Some folks have been given so many messages of non-worth and non-respect for so long that they have come to accept this as truth. Let’s face it—there’s a lot in this world to make us feel like we’re doing it all wrong and that we’re just not enough. Looking from just that one direction, that will always be true, about any and all of us.
But we are also these beautiful, complex, imperfect beings who can do such inspirational, generous, marvelous things for ourselves and others. That sure is something!
Because we’ve got this seed…
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Please post a comment and let me know what resonates with you about this post. I always love reading your comments and hearing your thoughts. Also, if you know someone who could benefit from this post, please share it with them!
Until next time,
Ray
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