Quote: “You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere. You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe deserve your love and affection.” – Buddha
Let’s talk about Love. There are many kinds of love; family love, romantic love, best friend love. Before these can be fully manifested in your life, you must love yourself. This clears the way for you to fully give love to others.
A nice way to begin is to start treating yourself the same way you treat your best friend. We are all our own worst critics. We question and second guess ourselves as no one else does. Tune in to your inner dialogue when the negative, critical thoughts creep in, then imagine saying these things to your best friend. Would you ever talk to your best friend this way.? Probably not. You’d encourage, comfort, focus on the positive and offer sage advice. How about using that kind of dialogue on yourself for a change?
Try suspending self judgment for a day. Accept yourself for the wonderful, unique human being that you are. Grab a piece of paper and write down all the good things you have done for others over the last two weeks; the card you sent, the meal you cooked, the compliment you gave, the loving hug, and so on. Then read it over and feel good about who you are!
Join me on Tuesday nights to show yourself some love. At the end of a long, busy, demanding day that didn’t allow you any time for yourself, and probably involved a significant amount of time sitting hunched over a computer or a steering wheel, settle onto your mat, quiet your mind, and bring your attention to your breath. Then sink, float, root, rise, soften and melt. Stretch, twist, lengthen, strengthen and open. The studio is illuminated by candles, the playlist is eclectic and essential oils compliment the theme of the evening. Go inside yourself in the soft candlelight and leave the outside world behind. Invite someone you love to join you. It’s a beautiful experience to share. Click here to reserve a spot now.
-Marianne Davis
Enjoy these practices to show yourself some love right from home:
Asana: Savasana
Savasana is the last pose of a practice. Lying quietly, you assimilate all the physical benefits of your asana and you enjoy a few minutes of meditation – with an open body, an open mind and an open heart.
- Lie flat on your back, arms by your sides, palms facing up and legs stretched out.
- Close your eyes.
- Let your body feel heavy, muscles softening, and imagine that you’re melting into your mat. Scan your body, then surrender to inner peace.
- Quiet your mind, remaining fully conscious as you move into full and complete relaxation, gently resisting any urge to fall asleep.
Meditation: Cultivating Self Love
In a comfortable lying or seated position, bring your attention to your breath and let all other thoughts drift away.
Move from your thinking brain into your feeling brain and repeat any of the following affirmations:
- I love myself just as I am
- I am worthy of love and I deserve to be loved.
- All the love in the universe is available to me.
- I give myself permission to accept love, releasing any thoughts and feelings that prevent me from receiving it.
- It is safe for me to give love.
- It is safe for me to receive love.
- I am surrounded by love wherever I go.