In a reflective mood, my body walked my soul down the street during my mundane, routine hours.
I began to study the faces that passed by me. Some faces looked like stone, some had paper thin smiles where as others seemed like no one home.
I saw a woman kiss a dog and a child cry while a mother comforted her....I had a thought that maybe everyone wonders at some point, who is going to love them?
When we know we are loved our world brightens, when we know we are loved, our challenges seem easier, when we know we are loved we find strength we didn't know we had. But can we depend on others to love us at all times?
Perhaps not... one cannot demand love.
My love of spiritual matters has often been my source of love when human love seemed dry. Feeling a warmth from the 'other side' in a form of a sign, a vision, a dream or a message has more than once, been like a blanket of comfort.
However, as I now enter my wise woman years, it is clear to me that the most powerful love is self love. Self love is always on tap and never lets you down. Now, when I wake in the morning, I kiss my shoulder, (mainly because I can reach it with my lips) and I hug my body and I say 'Liz you are so special and you rock'
When I catch my reflection in the mirror, I take a moment to look in my eyes and say 'wow, you are f''ing amazing Liz' because I am. I own that now in a way I couldn't in my younger years. Years of giving my power away to relationships, people, places and things have all taught me that the biggest love affair resides within us.
Funnily, once we do own that self love, others seem to offer their love.
Self love is a love magnet.
Here are some guidelines and tips I took from the Queen of self love; Louise Hay;12 Commandments to help you learn how to love yourself:
Stop All Criticism.
Criticism never changes a thing. Refuse to criticize yourself. Accept yourself exactly as you are. Everybody changes. When you criticize yourself, your changes are negative. When you approve of yourself, your changes are positive.
Forgive Yourself.
Let the past go. You did the best you could at the time with the understanding, awareness, and knowledge that you had. Now you are growing and changing, and you will live life differently.
Don’t Scare Yourself.
Stop terrorizing yourself with your thoughts. It's a dreadful way to live. Find a mental image that gives you pleasure, and immediately switch your scary thought to a pleasure thought.
Be Gentle and Kind and Patient.
Be gentle with yourself. Be kind to yourself. Be patient with yourself as you learn the new ways of thinking. Treat yourself as you would someone you really loved.
Be Kind to Your Mind.
Self-hatred is only hating your own thoughts. Don't hate yourself for having the thoughts. Gently change your thoughts.
Praise Yourself.
Criticism breaks down the inner spirit. Praise builds it up. Praise yourself as much as you can. Tell yourself how well you are doing with every little thing.
Support Yourself.
Find ways to support yourself. Reach out to friends and allow them to help you. It is being strong to ask for help when you need it.
Be Loving to Your Negatives.
Acknowledge that you created them to fulfill a need. Now you are finding new, positive ways to fulfill those needs. So lovingly release the old negative patterns.
Take Care of Your Body.
Learn about nutrition. What kind of fuel does your body need in order to have optimum energy and vitality? Learn about exercise. What kind of exercise do you enjoy? Cherish and revere the temple you live in.
Do Mirror Work.
Look into your eyes often. Express this growing sense of love you have for yourself. Forgive yourself while looking into the mirror. Talk to your parents while looking into the mirror. Forgive them, too. At least once a day, say, "I love you, I really love you!"
Love Yourself . . . Do It Now.
Don't wait until you get well, or lose the weight, or get the new job, or find the new relationship. Begin now—and do the best you can.'
Louise L Hay
No need to wait for love to come to you, its already there, in you!
Self hugs all round!
