What is life without contrast?
Contrast allows us to reflect on the blessings in our life.
It is there to present both sides, in-out, good-bad, up-down.
Even though contrast can represent adversities and challenges it also represents the beauty of nature.
It provides opportunity for inner growth.
And that my friend is what this life is all about.
Inner growth.
How else can we see what needs to be changed?
Contrast shows us.
There has always been much contrast in the world, and with social media, it is quickly exposed and to more people.
Most of it can be hard to witness, and witness we must for it’s the only way to make changes.
I returned to my home town of San Francisco, I hadn’t been there for about 15 years.
I went for a dear friend’s memorial.
A life was taken too soon.
A long term solution to a short term problem.
A beautiful life cut short.
While others are still being lived.
There’s contrast in that.
Life is short and and seeming long when we are in the midst of a problem, an adversity or some such.
It is in the remembering that whatever is happening,
it will pass, the good-bad, or the up-down.
Contrast.
It’s ever present to witness.
See the value in the contrast.
I have been inspired to write you all. Gosh, it’s been 8 months or so since I’ve written here. A friend asked me for some tips, she said she hasn’t received any in a while, so here I am hopefully writing something that is of value during this unprecedented “rona” time.
This is about self love. There is no one who will love you the way you can. You will always be with yourself, from birth to death. So why not love yourself like only you want to be loved. After all we are our own best model to the world how we want to be loved and treated. So why not put your best “face” forward…
I have learned the hard way (like most of us) not to rely on anyone for what I need. Praise, approval, acceptance, love, all these feelings…We can give to ourselves. How? Start by loving and accepting your body, your face, your mind, the uniqueness of you. Everyone else is taken. There is no one else like you. So why not be the best version of yourself that you can.
Don’t judge, compare to others or criticize yourself. Why are you holding yourself up to some fake standard that you think others hold you too? People are only interested in themselves, especially in this time of “selfies.” So it’s best to never mind what others are thinking of you because chances are, they’re not!
Smile at yourself in the mirror, stand naked and see your body and all the beauty it is. Love your curves, the extra pound floating around your middle, the bump in your nose, whatever you think isn’t “right”. Your body is a precious gift from nature. Accept it and cherish it.
Take the time to really get to know yourself. Turn off the social media, the distractions that take you away from you. Be with yourself in the quiet of your heart. If you take the time to really observe, the false falls away and the truths stand up. But you have to be present and listen to the depth of your inner dialogue. That is where the self love begins. The inner dialogue we tell ourselves, where we judge, criticize, or where we love and have gratitude for our self. Only you can be the master of inner change and the outer reflections will change with you.
Give your self some love, get some flower petals and sprinkle them in your bath. Or put some flowers by your bed, it can be a yellow dandelion, or some greens you pick from along the street. Some small amount of attention to beauty for yourself to gaze upon.
You can place some Rosemary or Lavender under your pillow to help you have a good sleep.
Turning off any screens at least an hour before sleep time will help you to unwind.
Keep your bed as only a place for sleep, it is a sanctuary for you.
Getting a good nights sleep is a good way to show yourself love and caring. It also helps quiet the mind.
Meditation is a way into your depths. Whether it is a guided meditation or a quiet walk in nature, taking time and observing the quiet and the beauty. This is a good way for those who can’t sit still.
Take long slow deep breaths to calm and center yourself.
Self love begins within and no one can do it for you. It is not in the latest style of a celebrity, or “the Joneses” what they put on their face or who they are dating, or what they are wearing. This has nothing to do with you, other than to make you feel lack or less than.
What you put into your body, your self talk and what you observe with your senses creates who you are, so be gentle and caring with yourself and your choices.
Begin the inward journey of self love and care. As it is said, “there is no time like the present.” With so much love for you Catherine xx
