Self-love: A Manifestation of our Human
Being-ness
Self-love includes valuing our bodies as they are today, these changing containers we’ve been given for our true selves.
Self-love is the connection with our whole being, experienced or felt in various ways on different days. It’s akin to our invisible fascia, the connecting tissue holding us together. Like fascia, self-love encloses and stabilizes us. But even more, it holds and warms us.
Our thoughts question, even doubt, our self-love. So when we are able to experience it, the awareness comes through our senses, bodies and hearts, emanating from our Essence or soul. We don’t have to convince our minds of self-love, in fact, when we’re “out of our minds” it’s easier to experience it.
When we truly have begun to love ourselves, we value our bodies…as they are right now. Not how they could be. Not how they used to be. Our bodies change monthly, yearly. Self-love is the unconditional grace that embraces those changes, without criticism. If you find yourself putting yourself down, try seeing yourself as your dearest friend or treasured family member. Notice what harsh things you’re saying to yourself, then backspace and delete them. Say to yourself things that are unconditionally kind. But these words are not just affirmations; cognitive reframes aren’t enough. Embody the truth of the absolute love that is your very nature.
We get hung up on believing that we are what we do, or how we look, or how we act.
Those are expressions of ourselves, but are not our true selves. So self-love is remembering our being-ness, personifying who we truly are and living that incarnation. Self-love is not an affirmation, or an intention. It’s not a commitment to love ourselves. It is epitomizing and exemplifying the innate love we were born with, for ourselves..
It’s brave, then, to counter our culture, going against the societal grain, remembering who we truly are. To love ourselves.
Self-love is connected to something greater: to God, nature or the universe, a constant unconditional emanation of the highest love accessible.
So, self-love is not isolated, it is sourced. We don’t have to work hard to conjure it, because we’re already tapped in. It’s not our own personal stream, it’s part of the entire Pacific Ocean. Self-love is the reality the union our whole being has with not only all of our parts, but with parts of everything, other people, nature, planets, the whole universe. We are vibrating in connected, unconditional, aware rhythm with the very source of all love.
When we are truly full of self-love we are not egoic, or falsely built-up.
In actuality we’re simply exuding our being-ness, our beautiful, worthy, powerful, creative nature. We are present with all of who we are, and self-love pulsates with this presence.
Immersed in this connection, our self-love doesn’t go away, even if were are upset. No devastation can remove or detract from the deep oneness we have with our whole being, and this intricate overarching love. It may feel lost, at times, needing to be found. Our minds are the trouble, though: thoughts question our worthiness, our appearance, our behavior, our lovability, our capability and our personalities. Yet when we tap back into our Essence, our inner home, we dip our feet into the ever-present love that keeps us alive.
Self-love is our lifeblood. It is our ultimate vitality, the source of our strength, bravery, tenderness, creativity, kindness, nurturing, empowerment, leadership, and everything good in us.
Emerging from this gigantic container of love within us and with love from God endowed to us and for each other, we can more freely and easily exude compassion and care for other beings. Immersed in self-love, we vibe with our inner Essence and that of others. We can become and reveal all of what we’re meant to be and do, truly manifesting our destiny moment to moment, and day to day. Alive and awake, living from love, returning to love, we operate from creativity, offer service, are efficient, wiser, and more compassionate. Because self-love is part of our innate goodness.
Self-love is the bonfire, and love for others is the warmth coming from it.
Can you ask yourself: do I love myself? Do I feel and experience this love for myself? Perhaps you feel more love for others than for yourself. How about this: boomerang a huge blast of loving grace back atcha. Send it back into and around yourself. How? You don’t need to affirm it, or envision it, unless words or imagination help. All you have to do is gracefully, mindfully step into this love, because it’s already there, within you and surrounding you.
Self-love is a reality we are designed to know and experience in our bodies, hearts, souls and minds. In the entirety of our beings, now, and always.