Last month I made a promise to myself to make self-love, that feeling I have when I look at myself in the mirror naked, after eating a huge slice of German chocolate cake secretly in the garage, at the expanse of my waistline, the wrinkles, the odor, the soft, fluffy rolls, all the foolish things that can be said or even thought, the messes, the inconsistencies, the imperfections, all of them, all of it, all of me, unconditional. I made a promise to myself to love me, as I come, from moment to moment, no matter what the circumstances. I had a feeling that if I could master this, amazing things would happen. It was a beautiful experiment. I did very well, am doing very well. I have felt only love for myself, love and compassion and tenderness and gratitude.
A miracle happened. The same feelings I have for myself have been gushing out of me like a faucet, a fountain, a waterfall, an ocean wave and spreading over the people around me. For my friends, family, my children and most especially, my husband I have felt so much love, so much compassion, so much tenderness, so much acceptance of what is.
I have learned that when you can do nothing else, you have lost all power, simply breathe. The other word of advice is to stay. When things are challenging, stay. Hold space and do not react, just breathe and do not leave. What a wonderful thing to learn with so much of this lifetime left to enjoy.
