The Value Of Self-Love

Labels:  Selflish.  Self-centered.  Self-involved.  Am I defined by those labels?  Sometimes, yes.

But - labels are just that; a way to define or, dare I say judge, something or someone.  And, what I'm starting to see is the more I love myself and who I am becoming, the less I fret when those labels are applied to me.  In fact, the more I embrace those labels as evidence that I am important and valued and cherished, the better balanced I am in my life.

Because it means I am taking time for my own growth.  I am making time to do what makes me happy.  I am open to and allowing the space for my own development.

So, for those who give me those labels, I say Thank You.  And for those who can see my growth and are encouraged to go down the road of self-love with me, I say Lets Go!

Incorporating some "ME" time is creating a path that leads me to the life I desire.  And, it's creating a path that guides me to that which I need to become in order to have the life that is calling to me.

It's all happening in perfect timing and in perfect ways.  I simply need to take the next step and follow the map that my intuition provides each day.

So, how do YOU feel about loving yourself right where you are?  Are you making time to focus on yourself?

Today, I set the intention to see the value of self-love and accept myself, just as I am, right where I am, knowing my dreams will follow.

"Self worth comes from one thing - thinking that you are worthy."  

~Wayne Dyer

"The true value of a human being is determined primarily by 

the measure and the sense in which he has attained liberation from the self."  

~Albert Einstein

Affirmative Prayer:
Breathing in the joy of this moment, there is the glimmer of the One Life, the touch and feel of the One Divine Presence.  It is a richness and a ripeness that is revealed throughout each day.  And it is a stirring of a recognition that this Infinite, Creative Power is a source for only good, only beauty, only happiness.

This Presence is reflected in everything I do, everything I say and everything I think.  It expresses as me, reminding me that I am even more than I imagine.  I am Spirit in human form and my activities are those of the Divine.

As I go through my day, I let go of any striving and I give in to simply allowing and accepting my desires to unfold.  As I love myself more deeply, I am reminded that I am worthy of all the wonderful things this life has to offer.  I move through the field of possibilities and experience the prosperity and abundance that seems to flow right to my door.  My talents and desires become evident as I remain open to opportunities for growth and development.  I am here at this time to thrive and I welcome Spirit's Infinite Love which is always surrounding me and sustaining me.

I am so grateful for the experiences of love and generosity that are revealed as I give and as I receive.  This is a reciprocal Universe and I give thanks for that reciprocity for it is evidence that the Divine Love of Source is always available within each of us.  And I am filled with gratitude for the ever-increasing wisdom that says we are all here, not just to survive, but to thrive!

With a shout of exuberant thanks, I release my word to the Divine Action of the Law, knowing it is always and forever working on my behalf.  I accept all that is to come in trust and faith.  And I let it be so.  And so it is.

Photo courtesy of IamNotUnique/Flickr

Make The Practice Of Meditation YOURS!

In The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, Deepak Chopra writes, "Pure consciousness is pure potentiality; it is the field of all possibilities and infinite creativity."  To access this field of pure potentiality (the first spiritual law of success), we must meditate daily as well as go into the silence and simply BE.

As part of my daily spiritual practice, I had set a lofty goal to meditate for 30 minutes, twice a day, as the book recommended.  I was on a mission to discover the brilliance and the beauty that I had heard was found only through sitting in the quiet.

And, I was reaching for something that I believed was missing in my life - purpose.

For the first few weeks, it was amazing how centered I became as I learned to stop fidgeting and settled in to the silence.  I also discovered that I was coping better with events in my life that would have been stressful prior to my meditation practice.

I was so clear that there was a bigger picture for my life.  I did not need to fall into the petty disagreements that normally would have irritated me.   I skated right through a few of my daughter's emotional, dramatic outbursts and her subsequent outpouring of misery that used to suck me down into her "stuff".

Then, life stepped in and I no longer had the time to devote to meditating.  I kept telling myself that it was okay to take a break and that I wasn't a failure for not sticking to the commitment I had made.

And - I was feeling guilty every single day.

Fortunately, I had my eyes opened when reading The Power of Intention.   The book reminded me that everything in life is a process.  Life is not a series of goals to be accomplished but a journey to experience.   I haven't lost anything by not keeping up with my goal to meditate.  I just needed to redefine exactly what worked for ME.

I had such clarity with my time in the silence and I am still able access that at any time.  Rather than sitting still, however, I could choose to use an activity like walking the dog to tune into the wisdom that comes from meditating.  I could spend just five minutes a day, not 30 minutes, to get out of my 'thinking' self and into my 'quiet' self.

And, if I wanted to sit in the silence for longer periods of time, that was okay too.  It is NOT about the mission to do it "right" - it's about making time to connect to the source of possibility within.

What I know for sure is that I have permission to make my spiritual practice MINE.  I continue to meditate because it opens the door for the Universe to create in my life.  It opens up my life to its full potential.  THAT is what my heart is calling for.

So, how much time works for YOU to sit the stillness?  What are your expectations from time spent in meditation?  

Today, I set the intention to take responsibility for my meditation practice, choosing what feels right for me to connect to the field of possibility.

"I want to know God's thoughts....the rest are details."  

~Albert Einstein

"Now remember this; you are the person; this is the place; now is the 

occasion; right here is the time; the word is in your own mouth; you are 

good enough; you know enough; you are spiritual enough."  

~Ernest Holmes

Affirmative Prayer:
Awakening to the magnificence of the new day, there is a recognition that there is only One.  One Divine Intelligence filled with beauty, with love, with joy and with peace.  This One Divine Mind surrounds all that is with good, always saying Yes!

As I move through my day, I am also surrounded by the all-good that is Life.  I am centered in the Divine Presence as It expresses through me.  And, I trust in the indwelling Spirit from which I am never separate, letting myself be guided as I tap into my intuition and into my heart.

Enthusiastically, I start each day connecting to the Divine Wisdom within by getting still.  I sit in expectancy of my good as I let the silence surround me with possibilities for my life.  I let go of any feelings that no longer serve me and instead choose happiness as I connect to my inner guidance in ways that are right for me.   I meditate, I contemplate, I pray - all are spiritual practices that bring a divine order to my life.  And I welcome the gifts that come my way, claiming my worthiness to receive the best that Life is bringing to me in every minute of the day.

I am so thankful to the Divine Presence within for my amazing life.  And I am grateful that I simply need to take a minute to be still and see that all is well.  I am filled with gratitude that something wonderful is being created as the Universe fills my world with infinite possibilities.

From this place of gratitude, I release my Word to the Divine Action of the Law, knowing it is already done.  It is divinely magnificent as I let it be so.  And so it is.