I have focused on health this month, as well as connection and self-care. Much of what I am “doing” is trying to “not do.” Sure, I’m taking too many e-courses and have been traveling, but largely I am trying to let go, to be still more often, and to be gentle with myself. I decided early this month to lead my body back to a healthy framework. I’ll spare you my aha moment from a dressing room at Banana Republic and simply share that we bought a treadmill and threw out all our candy that same day. When my body moves and feels good, my whole self feels better. After three weeks of eating better and exercising, I’m 9 pounds lighter.
I know that our ability to love others is directly related to our ability to love ourselves. I believe that love is the answer to so many questions. I am more able to give love and compassion to others these days, and more able to view myself with those same eyes. One huge challenge remains: learning to love the parts of myself that I wish were different. I’m sure we all face this. Acceptance can lead to love and that can lead toward either change or simply letting go.
“I am not a hero if I deny rest; I am only tired.” ~ Susan McHenry
I’ve started a list of self-care actions in case, in a moment of need, I need some ideas.
This month’s prompt was to make a vision board. There is a light within that I am tapping into. I don’t know how to picture it or how I would represent it on a vision board. I honestly don’t want to make another vision board because I made this one for my intentions for the year and that feels like enough. “Cherish” for me means tending to my physical body, but more than that, it means quieting my mind and being still. It means listening to my inner guidance. I could never look through a magazine and find images for that. (Well, maybe a photo of a box of tea or a woman looking out her window, but you get the idea.)
There is nothing physical that could bring me the feeling that I’m looking to sustain. I’m searching for meaning, wonder, and inner guidance. Mentioned in this month’s Project Light Year: “It is impossible to be genuinely compassionate towards others if you are not compassionate towards yourself.” And this is where “cherish” comes in. I’m not allowing any negativity into my thoughts at all. If something pops in there that sounds like a judgement, I turn it around actively. Violence in Kiev? I immediately send a donation and feel that at least I’m creating light where there is darkness. Someone testing my patience or sparking judgmental thoughts? Practice sending compassion until I feel it myself. Try it… it works!
I’d like to share with you what came forward for me when I listened to a guided meditation recently:
If you’re interested, you can read previous One Little Word posts here. On Wednesday, we’ll be joining in another Photo-Heart Connection and on Friday, we’ll be talking about spiritual parenting. Have a wonderful week, friends! Thanks, as always, for being here.
Naomi, your posts always move me in directions and perspectives that I have yet to fully explore. Thanks for being so willing to show yourself, to be present, to be seen, to be… just YOU! Much love to you! ♥
What a beautiful, soul-comforting list from your meditation experience. I could read that list over and over. Balm for the heart and soul. <3
Harmony Harrison recently posted…The Great Corgi Leap! In which real paint is put on real paper. Really.
Beautiful post! The self care list is so important…when you’re not quite feeling it, not in that space but you need it bad, it helps to have reminders. I look at mine even when I am not in immediate need of it and it brings me peace. Every tool helps. Thanks for sharing this!
Hi Naomi:
Thank you for these lovely words. A wonderful reminder of the power of compassion and importance of having it for ourselves.
Amy Kathleen Kelsch recently posted…Show Me The Bunny: Fun Easter Basket Ideas
Wonderful post….words I’m finding to be true more and more everyday. You really must love yourself first…..then let that love shine out into the world. It is amazing what happens as that love you send out makes its way back to you….
Debbie Goode recently posted…Buster WIP Four
Thanks for commenting, Debbie!
So love this post Naomi! First congrats on the 9 lb loss. That is wonderful! I love all of your self care ideas. You are an inspiration to me!
Thanks, Stacie. Thank you for the book recommendation you sent too!
Just wanted to tell you once again what an inspiration you are to me, sweet friend. You are so wise for one so young. Wish I’d learned HALF the life lessons you’ve learned so quickly (HA! in fact I STILL haven’t learned many of them.) You seriously ROCK!
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Ha! I don’t feel very wise. I DO feel that I’m learning so much lately and I know that wisdom comes from learning about my own soul and what it needs. Thank you, as always, for joining me on this adventure.
I was fortunate to hear Anita Moorjani speak, the author of Dying to be Me. She had a near death experience (fully documented) and came away with the knowledge that love everything. She talked about teaching our children from the earliest age how to love themselves, that it is only through self-love that we can understand how to love others. Imagine what the world would be like if little girls looked in the mirror and saw how beautiful and accomplished they were instead of wanting to look and be different. Or little boys grew up happy and confident and didn’t need to hurt anyone to prove anything. Some of the people in the audience were aghast that she should suggest that, they equated self-love with selfishness when it’s really the opposite.
I guess this starts one person at a time. “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me…”
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I would love to hear her speak! How wonderful and powerful that must have been. I have read her book and loved it. I think what she (and what you write here) writes is spot on.