The journey to love starts with yourself
LOVE is a four-lettered word. It makes the world go round. It is the greatest power of all.
It cannot be bought but is used to sell and get us to buy so many things. It brings romance, joy, healing, growth and transformation. It energises, protects and strengthens. It makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside. It has a magic of its own and can transform us from feeling low to fully alive.
The difference in anyone when they ‘find love’ is remarkable. They get a spring in their step and a sparkle in their eyes that is something to behold. We have all felt it and seen it happen in others. They get a glow and smile that cannot be hidden. And when it deepens, an inner radiance shines out.
There are different aspects of love – romantic love, parent to child, siblings, family members, distant relatives, friends, people we meet, people we love from afar and so many variations in between. There are so many ways in which we can love or feel loved in life. Animals, pets, nature and our environment are all part of the love we feel.
But mostly we look outside us for love. Within is an even better place to start. When we create it within we will always recreate it in our lives.
What does self-love look like? It looks like treating yourself with love, mind, body and soul on a regular basis. It can mean reading a book that grows you, exploring new hobbies, spending your time doing things you love or even challenging yourself to be better. It can mean eating delicious food, going for a walk or even having a massage or a beauty treatment.
Some of the things will cost financially. Some will cost time. Some will push us out of our comfort zones. It may involve showing self-compassion and kindness.
Self-love means picking yourself up when you are down as you would another. It involves pushing yourself a little more in the good times because you know you are capable of so much more. It can involve surrounding yourself with the right people so you can grow and be the best you can be – people that wish you the best and encourage you. Self-love in action involves checking in with yourself regularly the way you do with others.
A few weeks ago in this column I asked you if you would have any friends if you spoke to others the way you speak to yourself ? I often ask my students this question. The habitual self-talk we have is not always loving!
So given the day and the week that is in it – why not take a look at how you are treating yourself ? How you are treating yourself will determine how you allow and feel how others treat you.
How do you speak to yourself when you are having a bad day? How do you treat yourself when things are going well ? Many people beat themselves up when they are down and coast in the good times. And after you look at how you treat yourself, observe how you are treating the other loved ones in your life.
Given the week that is in it, why not show yourself and all the wonderfully loving people you have in your life some love?
Love begins with a smile. Wish you a wonderful Valentine’s Day–a great day to take action to bring whatever variety of love (romantic, friendship, family etc) you want into your life in a bigger way. Ultimately the journey to love starts with yourself.