What Would LOVE Do?

 

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.

10 Ways to Love Yourself More

During the month of February, thoughts turn to love. It’s delightful to be in love with that special someone, especially when spring is around the corner and love is in the air. Yet having a significant other and being in a relationship isn’t the only way to find love.

Loving yourself is much more important!

Self-care is a buzzword these days, but few people talk about self-love, perhaps because we aren’t taught to love ourselves. In fact, we’re taught the opposite—that loving yourself is selfish.

But nothing could be further from the truth. Loving yourself is one of the best things you can do for yourself! When you love yourself, you have greater self-confidence, a higher sense of self-worth, and you are able to experience greater grace, peace, and joy in your life.

So, what exactly is self-love?

Self-love is fully accepting yourself, treating yourself with patience, kindness, compassion, and respect. It’s nurturing your personal growth and overall wellbeing. Self-love is knowing that you’re doing the best you can and thinking about yourself in a positive and loving way.

It’s making sure you nurture yourself first, so you have the time and energy to be there for others. The relationships in your life are a mirror of your relationship with yourself, so loving yourself enables you to love others more deeply. 

10 Ways to Love Yourself More:

1. Practice positive self-talk.
2. Don’t beat yourself up over mistakes; instead, think of them as learning opportunities.
3. Remember you are doing the best you can.
4. Leave the past where it belongs—in the past.
5. Forgive yourself.
6. Give yourself permission to say no.
7. Make time for what makes you happy.
8. Notice and appreciate your efforts...and remind yourself of your worth.
9. Cultivate self-acceptance...love yourself just the way you are.
10. Don’t compare yourself to others...instead embrace beautiful, unique you!

On this Valentine’s Day (and this week, and next week, and the next...) shower yourself with all the love you deserve. You deserve it...remember, there is only one beautiful, unique you!

“You have within you more love than you could ever understand.”–Rumi

*

This blog was written by Chris Clifford/Sedona Hutton, bestselling author of stories with uplifting themes and inspired ideas.

Photo by Averie Woodard at Unsplash.

*

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.”

Amazon Bestseller! Available now: https://amzn.to/3RawJBR

*

THE PERFECT LAP by Sedona Hutton:

His job is to drive fast. Hers is to put the brakes on him. When sparks fly, will love cross the finish line?

Reader Review Excerpt: “It’s sweet, inspiring, and a love story about two people and three children that find hope, their own voice and realize that family doesn’t have to be blood-related.”

THE PERFECT LAP is an Amazon Bestseller and a Reader’s Favorite Finalist for Contemporary Romance. Available as eBook, paperback, and audiobook. Purchase link:  https://amzn.to/3Hx86w4

A Mom / Mom-Like Tribute!

For all of the moms, stepmoms, grandmothers, aunts, foster moms, mentors, and other amazing women who are raising, nurturing, coaching, and mentoring children, Happy Mother’s Day Week!

There is no greater gift than positively influencing a child’s life. As Abraham Lincoln said, “All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.”

Throughout Mother’s Day Week, take time to reflect on how amazing you are!  Mom’s (and mom-like-parents) are kind, caring and compassionate. Determined, dependable and patient. Smart, generous and resourceful. Loving, nurturing and protective.

The significant impact mothers have is eloquently penned by Mitch Albom in his book, FOR ONE MORE DAY, “But there's a story behind everything. How a picture got on a wall. How a scar got on your face. Sometimes the stories are simple, and sometimes they are hard and heartbreaking. But behind all your stories is always your mother's story, because hers is where yours begin.”

Are we perfect? We may not think so…however, we do our very best, which makes us perfect for the needs of our children in each moment. “A mother’s arms are more comforting than anyone else’s.”—Princess Diana

This week, take some time to recognize your amazing self and all that you do. You don’t need others to give you this recognition, self-appreciation and self-love are the best! Give yourself a pat on the back, treat yourself to something special, and take time throughout the week to do things you enjoy. Most of all celebrate how special you are…nurturing, mentoring and positively influencing a child’s life is a beautiful gift, not only to your child but to humanity as well!

To all of the magnificent mom’s and mom-like women around the globe, I wish you a beautiful, bright and blessed week!

This blog was written by Sedona Hutton, author of contemporary romance and women’s fiction blended with new age spirituality. 

*

 

THE PERFECT LAP, His job is to drive fast. Hers is to put the brakes on him. When sparks fly, will love cross the finish line?

Reader Review Excerpt: “It was a heartfelt, sweet, foster child romance that gave me all the feels! Through it, we see how people can rise above past mistakes and that is a beautiful message!”

THE PERFECT LAP is a Reader’s Favorite Finalist for Contemporary Romance. Available as eBook, paperback, and audiobook. Purchase link:  https://amzn.to/2VkXIkv

CLOUD WHISPERS: 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 spirt and renews your soul. The gifts from this novel are unforgettable.”

CLOUD WHISPERS was awarded the IPPY Bronze medal winner for visionary fiction, Reader’s Favorite Finalist for visionary fiction, and an Official Selection in the Summer eBook Awards for New Apple Literary. CLOUD WHISPERS purchase link: https://amzn.to/2IZ6DRc. 

 To sign up for my Peace, Love, & Joy blog newsletter, please click here: https://www.sedonahutton.com/.