Hello Beautiful Soul,

As I write this I reflect on the nature of love. Often the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of love is romantic love. Then perhaps love of friends and family. Self-love is usually the last to pop in.

Self-love isn’t about a pampering day at the salon or taking the time to go on a hike. Those things are better named, “self-care”.  They provide a respite from the stresses of everyday life.

In an Abscondo blog, self-love is defined as, “To love yourself is to see only that part of you which is lovable.” Love is like light. What is not love is like darkness, the absence of light. Darkness cannot extinguish light because it is nothing.

So, in essence, self-love is living from your higher self with intention. It is leaving the default mode behind and expressing your light with trust in the Divine that lives within you and all around you.

As Brene Brown says, “Do not negotiate who you are”. (watch on YouTube). You stand for who you are by deciding what is going to have power over you in your life and what will not. Will it be jealousy, comparison, ingratitude, lack consciousness, or resentment that is running your life? Or will it be higher attributes: love, gratitude, benevolence, prosperity, hope, faith, forgiveness?

Love others, yes!  And, take charge; live with intention. Leave indecision behind and choose Self-Love.