"In prayer it is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart."
-Mahatma Gandhi
-Mahatma Gandhi
Ah yes, it's Valentine's Day this Thursday, and time to speak of matters of the heart. Far removed from its pagan and religious origins, February 14 may well be brought to you by card makers, florists, chocolatiers, jewelers and assorted eating establishments but they're all promoting Love! So I give it a thumbs up.
I'm willing to bet the little ruby ring on my pinkie that as a regular reader, you don't need much coaching in the "how to be more loving" department. We all have learned to say "I love you" in a multitude of ways. But I will propose that we steer our affections inward and speed it up a little. Show yourself some love. It's a lot like driving in reverse while looking in the mirror, the brain has to interpret just one more reflection of light. The more you practice, the better you get and you realize that it's not as dangerous as they say, this bit about loving yourself.
I remember a fairy tale about a woman making porridge and no matter how many bowls she served up, it kept overflowing with more. It flowed out the door and into the streets and people everywhere could pick up as much as they wanted. The supply was endless.
I imagine that loving yourself, truly and with no conditions, is a lot like being the cook in charge of nurturing yourself. If your heart overflowed with love, like that pot of porridge, you wouldn't worry about the supply running out or whether you were giving it to the most deserving. You could stand back in joy and let others come with either pots of their own, their entire village in tow, or with a small slotted spoon. When you give that much, you don't feel offended by those who take too little.
But first, feed yourself and have a Happy Valentine's Day.
I'm willing to bet the little ruby ring on my pinkie that as a regular reader, you don't need much coaching in the "how to be more loving" department. We all have learned to say "I love you" in a multitude of ways. But I will propose that we steer our affections inward and speed it up a little. Show yourself some love. It's a lot like driving in reverse while looking in the mirror, the brain has to interpret just one more reflection of light. The more you practice, the better you get and you realize that it's not as dangerous as they say, this bit about loving yourself.
I remember a fairy tale about a woman making porridge and no matter how many bowls she served up, it kept overflowing with more. It flowed out the door and into the streets and people everywhere could pick up as much as they wanted. The supply was endless.
I imagine that loving yourself, truly and with no conditions, is a lot like being the cook in charge of nurturing yourself. If your heart overflowed with love, like that pot of porridge, you wouldn't worry about the supply running out or whether you were giving it to the most deserving. You could stand back in joy and let others come with either pots of their own, their entire village in tow, or with a small slotted spoon. When you give that much, you don't feel offended by those who take too little.
But first, feed yourself and have a Happy Valentine's Day.
"How to Love Yourself" - Louise Hay
Photo: Tommy Gunn Photography