Love Thyself

Personally I don’t really buy into the hype of Valentine’s Day and the forced romanticism but I do buy into love.

Wholeheartedly I’m a sucker for love not just the romantic notion of it, but for the love of life, for the kindness I show to others and they show to me.

For the passion I have for the work I do, and do for others. For the self-care and tenderness I show myself when I’m feeling depleted and a little run down.

We are the controllers of our philosophy, we can decide who we love, what we love and if indeed we love ourselves. Loving thyself seems to be the hardest love of all. Many find it difficult to find love and compassion for themselves.

I too would have been in that camp many years ago but when I found coaching or should I say coaching found me, my love for myself grew. It was a tough love to begin with. A love that had hard edges and one with temperance. Over time the restrain started to dissolve and with that came self-acceptance and an appreciation that I was actually ok, in fact I was more than ok.

Over time I expanded beyond the limits of my mind and let go of any remaining negative self talk and moved into a space of compassion. For who I was and who I was to become. Meditation helped me with this and my love started to flow without restriction. I had renewed energy, a passion for life and what it had to offer. I found optimism in everything, even when life threw challenges my way.

I let go of judgement and the critical voice I’d carried around with me for years and I realised to love thyself is not as hard as it seems - all you have to do is trust and keep your heart open to yourself.

This Valentine’s Day don’t fall into the trappings of forced love, in fact, don't force anything, be content with who you are and who you will become.

Trust that to love thyself will be the best thing you will ever do.