Do You Practice Self-Love?

Self-love. Does that sound indulgent? Or, do you know that it is the way we nurture ourselves so that we have love to give? We cannot give a gift we do not have, so, loving ourselves and demonstrating that allows us to fill up our "love pockets" and spend freely.

Just like a bank account, we need to make deposits that more than balance the withdrawals if we don't want any nasty surprises. But, our culture has a strange way of twisting this...and, the words the Bible offers: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

We need to notice in that Bible verse that it doesn't say love your neighbor instead of yourself, before yourself, rather than yourself, yet many people behave as thought it does. In my seminars I often ask the question: If you ARE loving your neighbor as yourself, is your neighbor getting a good deal? Very important question.

In SOUL SOLITUDE, we talk about about the scripts we have inherited, adapted or adopted in our lives. Many of them come replete with putting everyone else first and living without boundaries. We learn that "nice people" don't have boundaries, or, even, say "NO!" That might have been part of your script...or, maybe, it still is.

As a psychologist, I can only say that these are very unhealthy ideas. As a spiritual teacher, I say they are also misguided. There are many people in this world who do not have your best interests at heart, particularly once you have chosen a spiritual path. They want you to do what they want you to do. They want you to do things for them that are not in alignment with your spiritual values. And, they may even use your spiritual choices as the reason why you should do what they want!!! This is especially true in the context of giving.

Take good care of yourself in every way: stay on your path, make choices supportive of your spiritual understanding, and walk your talk. You and God are a majority.

Many blessings,
Rhoberta

Rhoberta Shaler, PhD
Psychologist. Consultant. Coach. Catalyst.
www.Rhoberta.com