Happy Monday!
I’ve got my babies home from school for Winter break so I’m going to keep this short and sweet today.
I recently finished “You are a Badass” by Jen Sincero. It was your basic cheerleader book – 255 pages about manifesting what you want and working hard to get it. But my biggest takeaway, the one I most appreciated, and what she tried to drive home the most, was the importance of loving yourself. She thinks it’s so important, she ended each chapter’s to-do list for success with the simple-to-say but not the always simple-to-do task of “love yourself.”
This theme has been coming up over and over for me lately, and maybe for you too (and not just because it’s February and there are hearts everywhere you look. Oh wait, Valentine’s Day was last week, so we’ve probably moved on to shamrocks or maybe it’s bunnies – I can’t keep up). Regardless, a healthy relationship with yourself shouldn’t be a theme or trend that comes and goes like the color of m&m’s at the drugstore. It’s the relationship we want to keep close all year round, and the one we want to work for just like anything we care about.
The key word there is “work.” Because it might not always be easy. It’s a practice like any of our other healthy habits. Life, thoughts, and feelings will get in the way sometimes. It’s our job to stay rooted in what is true. That we are here, living this gift of the present, and we’re doing our best. And that’s awesome. You’re awesome. So believe it and hop on the love train.
Last week’s meditation was a practice of loving-kindness. It’s one of my favorite forms of mindfulness. It’s a powerful practice in conjuring up all those warm-fuzzy feelings and radiating them within and without. Even if you’re having a really bad day or you’re feeling pretty crappy about yourself right now, this practice can help you exercise the muscle of positivity and love. And if you don’t think you’re capable of conjuring up love and joy, just think about how good the mind is at ruining a good day with negative thoughts. Positive thoughts are just as powerful. Start each day with just 5 minutes of practice and see how you feel. You’ll notice your relationship with the world and most importantly with yourself start to change for the better. I hope you enjoy it.
I’m off now to spend some quality time outdoors with my kids on this unseasonably warm February day. Be on the lookout for stories and hopefully some new inspirational posts on social.
Have a beautiful week, my friend.
Bye for now!