Self-Love Insights and Introspections

As many of us have faced challenges and opportunities for growth during these exciting and volatile times, we have been encouraged to uncover and transform those areas of ourselves which are in need of attention, expansion, and resolution.  For me, personally, many things have arisen, and I have been thankful for the growth opportunities.  One of the themes that seemed to continually surface was that of self-love, self-confidence, and related themes.  I honestly hadn’t even considered the fact that I might need to focus on these areas.  I suppose it’s a common one, though, as life experiences have managed to change us in many ways.   

      [Self-love: The instinct or desire to promote one's own well-being; regard for or love of one's self]

I figured that I’d take the opportunity to learn more about the subject and even take the Self-Love Challenge that I just happened to discover in a synchronous manner (http://howdoiloveme.com/).  I spent about a month making an attempt to do something for myself – no matter how big or small - each day.  It started as an attempt to show myself that I am deserving – as we all are.  I then started to delve deeper into the subject matter and began to realize that by working on myself, I was also working on the well-being of everyone, in a collective fashion.

As I decided to broaden the scope of my self-love actions/reflections, the realization that we are all ONE and are unified in these efforts to become the best reflection of our perfect selves started to sink in more and more.  The full power of these realizations became more evident as relevant topics such as gratitude, forgiveness, and reflection began to surface. 

I am grateful to have learned so much about my personal value and connection to all of you.  I was pleased to realize that when I help and improve myself, I am also helping and improving you, our neighbors, our families, our community, our country, and our world.  I think this is the most important lesson that I learned.   

Imagine the power that we have together as we combine our efforts to strive to become all that we are capable of becoming as we aim to bloom into a full reflection of love.  We are free to improve ourselves more and more each day.  

Here are some additional insights from the Self-Love Challenge author, Daylle Deanna Schwartz:

Summary of the “10 Commitments of Self-Love“ from the author of How Do I Love Me? Let Me Count the Ways, Daylle Deanna Schwartz:

• I shall lovingly accept myself as I am right now.
• I shall appreciate all the beauty that makes me who I am.
• I shall regularly give thanks for all of my blessings.
• I shall trust in my ability to take care of myself.
• I shall not criticize myself.
• I shall not criticize others.
• I shall forgive myself when I make a mistake.
• I shall be kind to others, without sacrificing my own needs.
• I shall take responsibility for my life.
• I shall love myself to the best of my ability.

Okay, shall we start the next initiative?  I’ll be doing some thinking about what the next topic of exploration should be.  So, what’s on your list?  Feel free to share your requests/insights/ideas! 

Happy growing!