"When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come close to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than my talent for absorbing positive thought."
- Albert Einstein.

Self Love involves loving and accepting yourself with all your many aspects - both the shortcomings & weaknesses, AND the strengths, talents, and unique expressions of your perfect self. You are, after all, an expression of the Divine, and have come here with challenges and gifts that are unique to only you. That is why the path to knowing self is accomplished by going within.

Looking at what another is doing or comparing oneself to another doesn’t serve your self knowledge unless others serve as teachers or as inspiration to your growth. We must take the steps ourselves to go within and re-connect to the well of love and wisdom that is our core.

“We can not change anything unless we accept it. Condemnation does not liberate, it oppresses.” - Carl Jung

We all have a need to love and be loved. To experience and share the energy of love requires that you first love your self. 

Using the 4 step process depicted in the Self Love audio CD:

1. awareness (of your inner parts or aspects)

2. connecting (to those part of yourself)

3. understanding (with love & acceptance) and finally

4. integrating your unique exquisite expressions

You then bring together the parts of you that now create a greater more loving, multidimensional whole. A whole integrated self that is greater than the parts! 

This path is not about being self-absorbed and unaware of others, rather, it is following the wisdom of many from Socrates, “the unexamined life is not worth living” to Leviticus, “Love thy neighbor as thyself”.

Truly to be of greater service to our loved ones, to our family, to the community, we must begin with a love and acceptance of self. When we love ourselves, we realize that we have within us all the love we need. And then it is natural to want to share that love, not because we have to or  because we want to fill a void, but because your cup is so full, it feels really good to share.  

When you are aware of the perfect precious child within, you will not allow others to take advantage of or mistreat you. As you are aware of the wise and loving guidance within, you can then be more mindful of what you truly need (versus what you want) and also more attuned to what others need. 

As you stay connected to your inner guidance you can learn how to best serve your purpose in life. 

“A man likes to believe he is master of his soul. But as long as he is unable to control, his moods and emotions, or to be conscious of the myriad secret ways his unconscious factors insinuate themselves into his arrangements and decisions, he is certainly not his own master." - Carl Jung 

Express your self love by caring for your body, by treating your body with love and respect, by exercising it and feeding it only the best, by avoiding poisons of all kinds… not just substances, but also places and people that do not nourish your soul. 

Self love involves the capacity to first offer love to yourself… through your thoughts, words (self talk), & actions, then experience the joy of sharing your love with others. 

May you be Blessed, and may you experience the perfection and preciousness of your soul. 

Imagining a Loving World,

ellen chernoff simon
ellen@imadulation.com

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs, ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go do it.  Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." 
- Harold Thurman Whitman