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The Essence of Self-Love (by Elisa Balabram)
Last month, our host Kumud Ajmani and #SpiritChat, celebrated 9 years of weekly spiritual and inspirational conversations. Congratulations! I may have joined six months or so after its launch, though I’m not sure when exactly. Since then, invariably every conversation includes at least one Tweet on #SpiritChat that makes a reference to Self-Love.
I’m copying a paragraph from a recent article I wrote on my blog Inequalities, Racism, Self-Love and Action that I think is relevant. I imagine that a world filled with self-loving individuals would be a more peaceful, respectful, joyful and loving world, would you agree?
“Self-love is not gloating or self-aggrandizing. One could argue that if someone is gloating, they are seeking approval from someone other than themselves, in order to give self the permission needed to feel loved. To practice self-love is to go beyond societal and cultural expectations of one’s successes and/or failures. Self-love is the deep knowing within oneself that one matters, has value to offer, is a light, for simply existing and being one’s heart centered, authentic Self.”
For me, the essence of self-love is a clear unimpeded connection to one’s heart space, soul wisdom, and love within. It includes giving self: acceptance, love, kindness, and permission to fail. It may also require taking things lightly, being free of judgment (work in progress), treating self as one’s best friend, and creating opportunities to express oneself authentically and creatively. In addition, I find it helpful through the self-love practice, to develop an awareness of the inner critic, and to apply tools to minimize its influence. How are you practicing self-love and what does it mean to you?
Join us this Sunday at 9am ET for a conversation about “The Essence of Self-Love” and share your experience with it.
Elisa
It is with great pleasure and gratitude that I welcome Elisa (@womenandbiz) to host #SpiritChat on Sunday, Aug 9 at 9amET on Twitter. Please join in and share with Wlisa and the #SpiritChat community. Namaste. – Kumud
Elisa Balabram #FF @womenandbiz on twitter
The #SpiritChat Community 
And, practicing self love? A daily examination and check-in to see if I am in harmony with creative energy so much larger than ourselves and listening to the still small voice inside that reminds us who we are and whose we are. Then setting forth on a new day, embracing the gift, celebrating life and love wherever possible.
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Another great perspective by you. Yes. Harmony – we talk so much about ‘balance’ and yet it is often that harmony is perhaps more essential!
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“The act of love is the surrender of self into life as it is. This is a love larger than our word “love” can contain or express. It embraces all of life and does not judge: tragedy and war, suffering and joy, creativity and destruction. Beauty. Death. The Other. Within this embrace of life as it is, lie acceptance, forgiveness, healing.” Anne Hillman in “The Dancing Animal Woman.”
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‘The surrender of self into life’ – and how often we resist surrendering – because our intellect and ego stand guard in the way… Beautiful quote – thank you for sharing 🙏🏽
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