A CONSCIOUS LIVING PRACTICE FOR TODAY – JANUARY 16

year of living copyI have an everyday religion that works for me. Love yourself first, and everything else falls into line. — Lucille Ball

LOVING YOURSELF IS YOUR BIGGEST GIFT TO OTHERS

On the surface it might sound like loving yourself is a selfish act, but it is actually the ultimate act of selfless giving. Egotism and bragging, for example, are so painful to behold because they are signs of self-hatred, not self-love. They are desperate attempts to call attention to yourself after you’ve sunk into self-loathing. One moment of genuine self-love can result in a lifetime of compassionate contribution to others. One of my friends, a yoga teacher and single parent with several children, told me, “If I take a few minutes in meditation each day to resonate with myself, I can do things all day with and for my kids. But if I don’t take a little time for me each day, I end up feeling resentful about all the demands they make.”

We could all take a hint from her discovery. Many times in my own life I have gotten mired in relationship conflicts only to realize after a while that the conflict had nothing to do with the other person. When you love the unlovable parts of yourself—anger, fear, grief, or whatever else—the problem with the other person clears up.

A CONSCIOUS LIVING PRACTICE FOR TODAY – JANUARY 16

Take five or ten minutes to yourself today. Don’t do anything—just sit and be. Appreciate yourself for simply being you. Realize: If I don’t take wonderful care of myself, who will?”

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