A Self-Love Note for You
A Note.
Valentine’s Day has a way of bringing about a lot of mixed emotions, many of which stem from a belief that happiness lies outside ourselves in objects or other people. Loving-Kindness meditations can serve to tap into our own inner source of love as a means of loving ourselves wholly and fully—imperfections and all—so we can be present and available enough to love everyone around us.
Imagine that! Being able to make everyone feel seen and heard simply because you love yourself enough. In my books, that's a token of love worth giving every day of the year.
Dawned on me.
As a verb, dawn can mean "become clear" or “enter one's consciousness or emotions.” It’s in this spirit that I share with you some of the things that help me get clear in various ways. May it be the same for you, too.
Watch.
Esther Perel Explains Why Your Partner Criticizes You
Wise being that she is, Esther Perel reminds us that “behind every criticism, there’s a wish.” We’ve all probably done this: saying what someone did not do rather than simply expressing what we want. Sometimes criticism is “easier” or “safer” than the vulnerability of asking for what we want. Learning to feel secure enough to communicate these things with partners, family, and friends is a token of our love for them.
Try.
9 Online Therapy Options That Are Affordable and Accessible
Amidst all the layers of grief, stress, and frustration we’ve collectively and individually felt over the last two years, it’s easy for triggers to come up and attachments to feel less secure. As a token of love to yourself, and by extension to everyone you love, here is a short list of virtual counselling options you can try.
Take In.
"Knowing how to be solitary is central to the art of loving. When we can be alone, we can be with others without using them as a means of escape."
- bell hooks (RIP)
Meditate.
This month’s meditation is the well-loved 20-minute Love Your Many Sides, a meditation inspired by Susan Piver and from my 21-day program Awaken Presence. My hope is that it reminds you that every part of you is worthy of love.
Reflect.
To decolonize is to re-member how to love yourself again. Take some time to write a love letter to yourself.
ICYMI.
I launched my own podcast, Mindfulness Meditation with Dawn Mauricio, and after an an enthusiastic posting period, a typical Dawn phase followed (a.k.a. not posting for more than a month). I’m happy to say I’m back! You can expect new meditations most Wednesdays.
Link appreciation: The Knowledge Project, The Good Trade and Center for Babaylan Studies.
