Tag Archives: Self-Love

2018 Week 47: Stuff Your Stocking

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I do hope you took the time to do Week 46’s task of HaMakom…making your PLACE.  These last few tasks are going to take thought, contemplation and journaling.  The perfect thing to do in your special place!

Week 47’s task of 50 Weeks to a Lighter More Loving You is to STUFF YOUR STOCKING.

Many, many, many years ago, a dear friend of mine shared one of her family traditions.  Sometime during the Christmas season, each family member would take time to think about what THREE GIFTS they would give to Jesus.  They would write them down and put them in their stocking.

The THREE GIFTS were based on the Magi bringing three gifts to Jesus in the bible.

The gifts are not necessarily material things, but parts of their life that they would like to put in Jesus’s hand or something they’d like to do to bring more peace into their home/life.

Things such as…

  • turning over concern/worry in regards to finances, school, a relationship
  • better self-care in the area of ________
  • be more grateful, compassionate, or kind
  • a start of or increase in tithing
  • reading their bible more
  • more prayer
  • more consistent church going
  • be on time for things
  • serving others
  • being more patient
  • making an effort to be a better friend
  • saying “I Love You” more
  • sharing toys with siblings
  • looking for ways to make mom happy

They didn’t need to share what they choose with others unless they wanted to. The paper would stay in their stocking all year and be looked upon at the next Christmas to see how their gift giving went.

If it helps, use the Magi gifts as a guideline.

Gold

Gold is the metal of kings. When gold was presented to Jesus, it acknowledged his right to rule.

What is out of your control or do you worry about that you could give to God/Higher Power to make your life more peaceful?

Incense

Incense, or frankincense, was used in the temple as a form of worship.

What could you give to God/Higher Power or to your self that would show adoration, love, honor, care?

Myrrh

Myrrh was used for embalming. We do not know precisely what the wise men may have known or guessed about Christ’s ministry, but we do know that the Old Testament again and again foretold his suffering.

What in your life needs to die, so to speak, or sacrificed for you to live a lighter, more loving you?

What thing/thought do you need to say, “Remember, I embalmed that”  “It’s gone,” “that no longer is in my life,” “that once may have served me, but now I’m done with that” ?  (Maybe something you’ve been saying about your self that is not serving you or your life.)

This week your task is to STUFF YOUR STOCKING with THREE GIFTS written on a piece of paper and then put in your stocking (or other item you only bring out this time of year.)

Cheering You on to a Whole Stuffed Stocking Heart,
Barbara

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CHECK IN Week 28: One Hundred

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Checking in on Week 28’s task of listing 100 Ways to Love Your Self.

How is it going?   Have you started?

Does it seem overwhelming, a waste of time, too selfish or self involved?

As with Week 27‘s task of listing all the ways you love you, this is not an exercise to “list all the ways to boost your ego”!   It is a relationship building list!

How you can show you that you love and care about your self.  

And, again, how  you love you will be how you love others.

Are there things that you often wish your spouse, friend, someone would do for you to show you love?

Add those to your list and do them for your self.

19-min

The American Institute of Stress says,

You need physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual energy to be your best you. Self-care renews these energies and provides the fuel for effective, resilient leadership; energized, wise parenting; and meaningful, adult relationships.

(From 6 Subtle Signs You Are Overdue for Self Care: Self-care is not a luxury!)

Self Love is really SELF CARE!

Make your list and then enjoy the love and care as you do them for your self.

Cheering You on to a Whole Self Care Heart,

Barbara

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CHECK IN for Week 27: Browning Yourself

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Checking in for Week 27 of 50 Weeks to a Lighter More Loving You.

This week you are to Elizabeth Barrett BROWNING YOURSELF.

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To write down in your journal as many ways that you can, WHY YOU LOVE YOU.

How is that going?

Is it hard?

Easy?

Can’t even seem to get yourself started?

Loving You seems to get a bad wrap. 

Lets look at a few things…

  1. Some think that if they LOVE themselves, they are being self-absorbed, self-indulgent, or narcissistic.   First, the people that are “self” oriented, DON’T LOVE or even LIKE THEMSELVES!  Most all of their behaviors are to boost their egos, to receive validation, and create a false sense of self love and worthiness.  These people are tiring and hard to be around.   Love yourself…you will be easier to live with!
  2.  It is OK to Love Yourself!   Besides God, you are the only one who will love you just as you are and at any given moment.  When you don’t love, there is a bigger chance you will DO more things or ACT in more ways in which you don’t like, thus creating a vicious circle of low esteem.
  3. So many of us are too hard on ourselves.  We compare, contrast, and compete with others.  You are you.  They are them.  You can only be you.  The best gift you can give to the world is to just be you!   As I’ve heard many times, stop trying to be an apple tree when you are a rose bush! Love who you are. Stop comparing. JUST BE YOU!
  4.  If you want more love, BE more LOVE...start with yourself and it will spread.  It is true that we can only give what we already possess and that includes loving our self which will translate to more love towards others.
  5. Loving your self does not mean you are perfect! I’m not even sure if there is a “perfect” here on earth, but that doesn’t mean you can’t love yourself in your imperfection.  For many of us, here lies the challenge–to love your self even while DISLIKING your shortcomings. When you love your self and accept your imperfections you can relate more to others and their imperfection.  You become more loving, accepting, and compassionate.
  6. Love and Like….what is the difference?   I have learned that I can always LOVE me even when I don’t ACT in ways I LIKE.  One can still love another even when one doesn’t LIKE what another is DOING…I often think of kids here! The LIKE and DISLIKE categories are behaviors or habits that can be worked on.  It is okay to still love you while things are being worked on!   Drop the LOVE and there will be more and more DISLIKES!  Keep the LOVE and the DISLIKES will improve quicker and with much more ease.

In no way is this an ego boosting exercise!  This is a relationship boosting exercise with your self!

A Lighter More Loving You depends greatly on what kind of relationship you have with YOU.

Cheering You on to a Whole Relationship Boosting Heart,
Barbara

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2018 Week 27: Browning Yourself

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Week 27’s task of 50 Weeks to a Lighter More Loving You is BROWNING YOURSELF!

I know it’s summer, but I’m not talking about getting a tan!

This week Elizabeth Barrett BROWNING YOURSELF!

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Get out your journal and write down all the ways you love yourself!

Not what you do to love yourself…that may come soon.

Write down WHY YOU LOVE YOU!

From how you make a peanut butter sandwich to your ability to be loyal.

Can you get to 50 or more?

Feel free to share in the comments!

Cheering You on to a Whole BROWNING Heart,

Barbara

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