Do you love yourself only when you feel good? What about when you fail a test, don’t get a raise, or can’t fit into your new clothes? What if you could really love yourself all the time?
 
The term “self-love” means the love of oneself, the instinct or desire to promote one’s own well-being. True self-love is not narcissistic or self-indulgent but an awareness of your inner power.  Self-love acknowledges who you are and what you like. Those stirrings inside you (a love of nature, playing with color, writing songs, rescuing animals) are meant to point your way. By cultivating your gifts, you show your true passions to the world. Your light illuminates the way for others and allows them to shine as well.
 
How do you start loving yourself? Here are five ways to begin the journey.
 
1) Address self-sabotage. Does your inner voice say you’re not good enough, not smart enough, not pretty enough? Those negative thoughts stem from past experience and are lodged in your unconscious. Before you can practice self-love you need to let them go. You can heal these thoughts through techniques like hypnotherapy, coaching, tapping (EFT), and the Sedona Method. By changing your beliefs, you allow the real you to emerge.
 
2) Use affirmations. Affirmations are positive statements that train your subconscious mind to develop new ways of thinking. Here are some self-love affirmations to get you started.
 
I love myself just the way I am.
I appreciate who I am right now.
I let go of my fears and go forward with confidence.
 
3) Appreciate yourself. Really look in the mirror. When was the last time you told yourself how beautiful or handsome you are? Loving what you see is an act of courage, a demand for unconditional acceptance. Last year when I was suffering with horrible hip pain and screaming my anguish, I confronted myself. The lies I’ve perpetrated. The ones that said I’m not beautiful. I’m not worthy. I am less than. I stood there with tears streaming down my face and said, “I love you.” At first I could barely whisper those words. But with each repetition my voice strengthened. As I confirmed the truth about me, the pain lessened until it finally disappeared and I acknowledged who I really am.
 
Start with what you DO like and really love that part of you. The more you do this, the more you’ll incorporate parts of you that you didn’t like before. And when you truly love yourself, others will too.
 
4) Be creative. Do you love to play with color, write, sing, make something with your hands? Give yourself permission to follow that voice that’s saying “can I, can I?” Play. Explore. Discover. Embracing your passions is a sure way to love yourself.
 
5) Practice forgiveness. Criticizing yourself or comparing yourself to others only hurts you. Sometimes it’s hard to remember you’re not perfect. But holding on to that resentment can cripple your body, literally. Forgiveness is a way to heal and move forward with peace and love. Say a forgiveness prayer faithfully—for at least 30 days— and watch those hurts begin to release and dissolve.
 
These are just a few ways to practice self-love and engage in loving thoughts. The more you love yourself, the more you step into your power. Experience the love that is rightfully yours. Let your light shine. Be the amazing person you can be.

[Originally published in the Conscious Life Journal​, March 2017]

by Nanette Littlestone

Following your dreams seems like an easy pursuit at first. Your imagination creates a wonderful scene, say owning a house at the beach. You feel the sand between your toes, you smell the salt air, you walk along the shore with the sun on your back. And there in the distance is the house of your dreams, open and inviting and so very perfect. Of course you can have this. You deserve it.

But just imagining what you want doesn’t mean that you get it. Creating your desires takes perseverance and determination. You don’t get time off. All those moments when life gets in the way deter you from your purpose. And if you’re off course, how will you follow your dreams?

One of my biggest challenges is being willing to trust and surrender. I grew up learning to be independent and in control. Sometimes independence and control come in handy, but many times they’re a hindrance. If the Universe is aligning people and events for your greater good and you’re trying to do things “your” way, the greater power that is can’t do its job. 

Last month divine guidance whispered another acronym to me—B.E.S.T.—and the question “Are you doing your B.E.S.T. today?” The first thing that popped into my head was a flash from the Army advertisement “Be all that you can be in the Army.” But this wasn’t about being the strongest or toughest or most willing to fight. The acronym stands for Believe, Envision, Surrender, Take action. 

Doing your B.E.S.T. is about shifting your perspective. It’s about playing all out. It’s about shining your light. 

1. Believe – believe in who you are. Right now. You’re constantly growing and changing. Support yourself in that growth and change with good friends, spiritual companions, teachers, coaches, workshops. Engage in those activities that will nurture you and empower you. The more you believe in you, the more other people will too.

2. Envision – imagine what you want. Only you know what you desire. Only you have the blueprint inside your heart and brain. Draw it, color it, write it down. See it in living Technicolor and feel it in your body. This is how you bring it to life.

3. Surrender – once you’ve brought your vision to life, it’s time to turn it over to your higher power. We humans can only go so far with our connections and skills and abilities. But the universe has unlimited resources. When you turn over your idea to your higher power, miracles happen. So surrender and know that your highest good is taking place.

4. Take action – there are so many ways people and things can come to you. Email, telephone, a chance meeting at the grocery store, an ad on TV, a jingle on the radio, a conversation with a friend. When you’ve surrendered, you’re open to receive. Now is the time to act. Follow up on the email or phone call. Contact the person you just thought of. Take the next step.

When you imagine your dreams, remember the question “Are you doing your B.E.S.T. today?” Every time you Believe, Envision, Surrender, and Take action, you’re taking one more step on the path to fulfilling your dreams.

Nanette Littlestone, author, editor, writing coach, and publisher, is a frequent blogger and visionary leader behind F.A.I.T.H. - Finding Answers in the Heart, Volumes I and II. To find out more about these books, click here.

by Linda Goodman

Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out they've got a second. Give your dreams all you've got and you'll be amazed at the energy that comes out of you. ~William James

Our dreams are as unique as our fingerprints. The size of the dream doesn’t matter and it can be about family, relationships, a creative endeavor, service to others, a career with financial security, or pure joy and feeling fulfilled.  If our brains fire differently, why wouldn’t our dreams be as varied?

I view goals as the ACTION component to manifesting a dream, and (as Maslow illustrated) until we have our basic needs met, “self actualization” or finding purpose can’t be reached. Each adult chooses how to grow forward in their own way and their own time. Becoming self-aware allows one to do the difficult work within to mature one’s self for more meaning and inner potential. 

Remember your childhood dreams . . . can you dream that, again? Dreams don’t manifest in a vacuum. Once they are planted, action is required to nourish them. Even with the road zigzagging, we develop tools along the way and set our own manageable goals. Perhaps all roads are leading to fulfilling your desires. You have your own system of values that will be one of the foundations upon which you build your dream, and for a greater motivation, goals are developed out of Need rather than Curiosity. 

To help you on your path:
• Get rid of the fear, guilt, feelings of insecurity and worry that might surround your dream.  

• Find like-minded friends who will be your support group to cheer you onward.  

• Make business contacts and find mentors who can help you take the next step.  

• Network, read, explore options, continue learning.

• Write a 30-second elevator introduction of yourself and the dream. In the mirror, practice this identity of yourself. Speak it aloud, feel it, hear it, taste it, touch it, see it as a dream already manifested.  Do this more than once/daily, and BELIEVE that whatever is currently happening in your life will be a viable path to achieve your dream. 

Linda Goodman, a Mediator, Reiki Master, and Consultant/Coach, is a guest blogger and coauthor of F.A.I.T.H. – Finding Answers in the Heart, Volume II. To order your copy of this inspirational book, click here.

by Maureen Roe

If only I could go back and count the times in my life that I touted myself as being logical. For the most part, I am. Logic makes sense to me and I can get behind it and follow it without a problem. So when I reached a certain age, I wondered why I seemed to walk to the beat of a different drum. In most things in life, my thinking patterns are very rational, but in certain arenas I frustrate people or make them uneasy because that logic I am famous for seems to run and hide.

In my late 30's I learned I have a balanced brain. After some testing it was determined that I use both sides of my brain equally, meaning I don't only use logic (right brain) to make a decision; I also use my creative left brain. While the linear logical thinkers saw the steps laid out, I could also see another nonlinear creative way to address the issue. This explained why I would frustrate people with my occasional indecision, especially when it was a big issue.   

Society tends to produce a lot of linear thinkers. When your life is not logical and you don't progress to the next step when expected, you will experience some unpleasantness from those linear thinkers because suddenly they won't understand you.  Ask any single lady who isn't married by the time she's 30, anyone who is married at least a year and hasn't yet produced a grandchild, someone who decides to take off a year before going to college, or someone who just can't seem to decide what they want to be when they grow up and bounce around from one career to another trying this and that.  Believe me, you will get some very interesting tirades.

For those of you out there who follow your heart, your vision, your dream, and meet this pushback from society, I applaud you. Daring to be different and following those dreams, no matter how long it takes, requires guts and lots of faith.  So often you get disheartened because your dream doesn’t come when you expect. Then judgment from family and friends starts the descent into shame, embarrassment, depression, and endless questions, all while you feel your soul urging you to continue to seek and find. Or you simply give up on your dream.

It has taken close to 40 years to see my dream coming to fruition. If you think I haven't felt embarrassed because I couldn't spell out what it was my soul was asking me to do, you'd be mistaken. But that small nonlinear portion of me allowed me to roam and explore numerous ways to accomplish what I wanted. I like to think that Thomas Edison and I have something in common. I'm not a failure. I’ve just found many ways in which to utilize my skills.

If you are struggling with a similar search for your dream, don't give up. Don't let others convince you that it has to be done in logical steps that might not be your way. Be true to your soul's calling and your authentic self. That way you can stay true to your dreams.

Maureen Roe is a Self-Expression Coach, Registered Corporate Coach, Metaphysical Minister, Ageless Grace Educator, speaker, and co-author of F.A.I.T.H. – Finding Answers in the Heart, Volume II. To order your copy of this inspirational book, click here.

by Azizi Blissett 

I love the artistic side of me.  It allows me to let go, play, and have fun. It is a spiritual and freeing experience. It feels great to just be and let my creative juices flow. And when I am done, I find that there is always a message that Spirit gives back to me. A reminder and inspiration to experience all that my heart desires. Through art, I have learned that my healing begins with my imagination. It is the bridge that opens the doorway to all possibilities. Art heals my soul and gives new meaning to my life. 

January followed the path of New Beginnings. February expanded your awareness of self-love. March helped you cut the strings of old habits and limiting beliefs and let go. What will April bring?

One of the crucial elements on the path of self-discovery is your purpose. Who are you? What are your dreams? How do you make a difference? Those are important questions to ask as you seek your purpose.

Some of us know when we’re children. Some of us take a lifetime to discover the truth. It’s taken me over thirty years to find the answers to those questions. My purpose is to nurture people’s creativity through community. By helping women express themselves in writing, I nurture their creative spark which ignites their passion. And when I do this in community, that nurturing and creativity lights the way for many people to use their gifts and make a profound difference in the world. The F.A.I.T.H. collaborative books, workshops, and my writing group continually help me realize my purpose, and for that I am truly grateful.

What is your purpose? What were you born to do? This month, Barbara Hopkinson, Corinna Murray, Rebecca Kirson, and Linda Goodman will inspire you with their articles on Finding Your Purpose. Get ready to find yourself. 

Nanette Littlestone, CEO of Words of Passion, is an author, editor, writing coach, and publisher of F.A.I.T.H. - Finding Answers in the Heart, Volume II. To pre-order your copy of this inspirational book, click here.

By Nanette Littlestone

To love yourself right now just the way you are, is to give yourself heaven. - Alan Cohen

How much do you love yourself? Just a little? A lot? Do you love yourself only when you feel good or even when you feel bad? What if you could love yourself, really love yourself, all the time?

The term “self-love” means the love of oneself, the instinct or desire to promote one’s own well-being. True self-love is not narcissistic or self-indulgent. It is an awareness of your inner power. A knowledge of who you really are. Without self-love, the soul can’t flourish. According to Marianne Williamson, our deepest fear is not the darkness that most frightens us, but the light. Are you hiding your light? Does your soul long to shine? 

Self-love acknowledges who you are and what you like. By cultivating your gifts, you show your true passions to the world. Your light illuminates the way for others and allows them to shine as well. My love of words led me to reading, then writing, then editing, and eventually to a marriage of all three—being a writing coach and publisher and helping others to express themselves through writing.

So how do you start loving yourself? Here are five ways to begin the journey.

1) Address self-sabotage. Does the little voice in your head say you’re not good enough, not smart enough, not pretty enough, or you don’t have enough experience? Those negative thoughts and beliefs stem from past experience. Let them go. You can heal these thoughts through hypnotherapy, coaching, EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique, otherwise known as tapping), the Sedona Method, etc. Find a process that resonates with you and stick with it. By changing your beliefs, you allow the real you to emerge.

2) Use affirmations. Affirmations are positive statements that help pave the way for the subconscious mind. By using affirmations, you train your mind to develop new ways of thinking. If you want to lose weight, try, “I am at the perfect weight for my body.” To attract more clients, you could state, “I easily attract the perfect clients for my business.” Here are some self-love affirmations to get you started.

I love myself just the way I am.
I appreciate who I am right now.
I let go of my fears and go forward with confidence.

3) Appreciate yourself. Look in the mirror. Do you like what you see? When was the last time you told yourself you’re beautiful? Maybe you’re not crazy about your wrinkles or your gray hair. Maybe you wish you were taller or shorter. Start with what you do like and really love that part of you. The more you do this, the more you’ll be able to appreciate those parts you didn’t like before. And when you truly love yourself, others will too.

4) Be creative. What do you love to do? Write? Paint? Teach? Play in nature? Give yourself permission to follow that voice inside your head that says “can I, can I?” Play. Explore. Discover. Embracing your passions is a sure way to love yourself. You might even find a new career.  

5) Practice forgiveness. Criticizing yourself or comparing yourself to others only hurts you. Sometimes it’s hard to remember you’re not perfect. But holding on to that resentment damages your health. Forgiveness is a way to heal and move forward with peace and love. The Hawaiians have a beautiful forgiveness prayer called Ho’oponopono. 

I’m sorry
Please forgive me
I love you
Thank you

Saying these words, with feeling, can unlock those hurts and restore your self-love.

The more you love yourself, the more you step into your power. So today, be your own valentine. Let your light shine. Be the amazing person you can be.

Nanette Littlestone, editor, writing coach, publisher, and owner of Words of Passion, is a guest blogger and co-author of F.A.I.T.H. – Finding Answers in the Heart, Volume II. To pre-order your copy of this inspirational book, click here.

by Rebecca Kirson

The facilitator of a recent training I attended discussed how hockey legend Wayne Gretzky was able to stay ahead of his competitors game after game. When asked how he did it, Wayne replied, “I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been.” 

We have the power to start living from where our life is going, not where we have been.

Sit with that for a moment.

So many people live their lives not 70 to 80 years, but the same year 70 to 90 times. Why? Because they hold so tight to who they were 10 years ago, 5 years ago, last year . . . They can’t let go of the past to create the dreams they say they yearn for now.  

We are powerfully creating our reality every moment of every day based on our thoughts and emotions. Yet every single time we direct our thoughts to the fear and resentment of “what happened before” with our relationships, with our finances, with our careers, we continue to re-create that reality again and again.  That’s why a lot of people feel like they are stuck in the movie Groundhog Day.

In order to create NEW in your life, you have to allow new thoughts, creativity, and inspiration to flow in and to start living with a focus on where your life is going, not where it has been.  You already know the story of playing small, settling with mediocrity, and hiding your light.  Why do you keep rereading that chapter when the rest of the book needs to be written?

A simple foolproof test will answer that for you.  If you look at what you have created in all areas of your life, what do you see?  Are you proud of your art or would you rather throw a sheet over it?  Your life is a direct reflection of who you are being:  your consciousness and energy / your awareness and frequency. 

You have unlimited potential inside of you waiting to be expressed in physical form as the effect of your life.  You ARE creating continually.  The decision is whether it’s a Picasso or a paint-by-number book you picked up at the clearance rack in Walmart.

I encourage you to step into your vision for 2015. What new reality do you want to create for yourself?  What changes do you have to make to meet the aspects of yourself that are trying to emerge? What action steps can you take now to start encoding your present with the future you wish to create?

They call it the NEW YEAR for a reason.  Tap into infinite possibilities and make this the year you go beyond just thinking about it. 

To your success!