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Some
time ago, a trusted mentor suggested I approach life by asking, “What would LOVE
do?” She went on to indicate that this includes everything in my life—big and
small, extraordinary and mundane, challenges and blessings.
At
first, this advice was perplexing. But over time, as I began contemplating and asking
this all-important question, positive changes followed, and my life evolved for
the better.
I looked
at the basic qualities of love. Love is kind, generous, and compassionate, so I
looked for more opportunities to express those qualities. I found this was easy
when things were going well and challenging when the going got tough. Yet even
during difficult times, with awareness and intent, I could respond to any
situation with a smile, kindness, honesty, an offer to help or simply listen, while
holding the love question in my heart.
As I continued asking,
“What would LOVE do?”, my perspective
shifted. I’ve always looked for the positives, but I began looking for even more
goodness, hope, and silver linings and expecting loving, win-win outcomes.
When
one listens to their heart, the need to blame and judge lessens and the desire to
forgive increases. Life becomes easier and smoother. Of course, one will still
experience issues (we all do!), but even when challenges arise, greater ease
and grace are available along with the ability to move within a divine flow.
I
contemplated what love really is, who we really are, and how love flows to us and
connects us through the ether. God is love, the Universe is love, Mother Earth
is love, and as a part of Creation, each of us are love, both individually and
as a human collective.
Our
true essence is love... it’s really that simple and that profound!
Think
about the power and privilege of representing love, exemplifying love, and offering
love. What would the world look like if every single human embraced their true
essence of love?
How
does one go about embodying love? It entails loving and accepting yourself as
you are and showing up as your true self.
Embodying
love is about being your authentic self despite what others may want or expect
from you. It’s about finding your talents and passions, and your unique way to
serve others. As Yoko Ono said, “You
change the world by being yourself.” Standing in your truth and
finding your own path takes courage, self-appreciation, and self-love.
For
many, self-love is a hard concept, in part because we aren’t taught to love
ourselves. We are usually taught the opposite—that loving ourselves is
egotistical or selfish—but nothing could be further from the truth. If we don’t
love ourselves, it is difficult to fully love others, to embody love, and to
live in alignment with one’s heart.
Here
are 3 quick and easy ways to love yourself more:
1. Recognize that you are doing your best
in each moment and appreciate that you are on your own life journey and are
not meant to look like, talk like, or respond like anyone other than beautiful,
unique you!
2. Practice forgiveness—of yourself and others!
3.
When
you make a so-called mistake, look for the gift (what can you learn or how can
you do better next time?) then forgive, release, and move on!
“Listen to the inner light; It will guide you.
Listen to the inner Peace; It will feed you.
Listen to the inner Love; It will transform you,
It will divinize you; It will immortalize you.”—Sri Chinmoy
As this quote so
eloquently states, living from your heart changes everything!
As 2023
draws to an end and we embark on a brand-new year, I invite you to join me in
focusing on self-love, living from your heart, and asking, “What would LOVE
do?”
I wish
you peace, love, joy, and an abundance of blessings in the New Year 💖–
Chris/Sedona
*
TRANSFORMED BY FIRE—RISING FROM THE ASHES TO FIND
MYSELF by Chris Clifford: Work left me exhausted and lost. When everything I
owned went up in flames, rethinking my priorities changed my life forever!
Reader Review Excerpt: “...a true story about finding
strength and purpose even in the worst situations...Chris is like the
Phoenix...she rises from the literal ashes, helps heal her family from trauma,
sets an example for all of us to follow, and through all of this, finds true
inner peace.”
TRANSFORMED BY FIRE is an Amazon Bestseller! Purchase
link: https://amzn.to/3RawJBR.
*
CLOUD WHISPERS by Sedona Hutton: A novel of family and
forgiveness with a strong spiritual message: The daughter she gave away. The
family she always wanted. The journey to redefine her fate….
Reader Review Excerpt: “A beautifully woven story
filled with love, loss, betrayal and renewal. It touches the heart of the
reader as life unfolds for Liam and Katie. Peppered throughout the story are
spiritual awakenings and life lessons which help to clarify many of the why’s
in each of our lives. While Cloud Whispers includes passionate love stories, it
also feeds your spirit and renews your soul. The gifts from this novel are
unforgettable.”
CLOUD WHISPERS Awards: IPPY Bronze medal winner for Visionary
Fction, Reader’s Favorite Finalist for Visionary Fiction, and Official
Selection in the Summer eBook Awards for New Apple Literary. Purchase link: https://amzn.to/2IZ6DRc.
