The Art of Self-Love

After I did this spontaneous collage I reflected on how a good mother would love her children unconditionally. This kind of love is unending and it echos and resonates infinitely in our souls like the corridors upon corridors in the collage. This feeling of utter peace - self-embracing - I am perfect as I am - love is actually something most of us experience quite rarely.

It is helpful to reflect on how much you love yourself. By this I mean so you talk inwardly to yourself in an encouraging way at all times? Or are you hard on yourself? Rarely in our minds do we feel "good enough" yet. Do you feel utterly at peace and in full acceptance of who you are on a consistent basis?

It is interesting to contemplate that when we do not have the feeling tone of self-love within we are forever looking on the outside of ourselves - to our loved ones, our coworkers, our friends and even our own children to validate us.

Jack Lee Rosenberg, author of Body, Self and Soul speaks of all the various feeling tones that need to feel utter self-love. He calls them "Good Mother Messages". Read them over and see which ones you feel complete with and which messages you feel you are missing. If you meditate regularly on the unique feeling tone of each message you will likely notice a considerable decline in the often hidden but desperate search for outside approval.

Good Mother Messages

1.) I want you.
2.) I love you.
3.) I’ll take care of you.
4.) You can trust me.
5.) I’ll be there for you: I’ll be there for you even when you die.
6.) It’s not what you do but who you are that I love.
7.) You are special to me.
8.) I love you and I give you permission to be different from me.

9.) Sometimes I will tell you “no” and that is because I love you.
10.) My love will make you well.
11.) I see you and I hear you.
12.) You can trust your inner voice.
13.) You don’t have to be afraid anymore.