“My primary relationship is with myself – all others are mirrors of it. As I learn to love myself, I automatically receive the love and appreciation that I desire from others. If I am committed to myself and to living my truth, I will attract others with equal commitment.”~Shakti Gawain
While we all know and agree that Self Love is the ONLY force that can make us whole and healed, we still struggle with it. In a recent workshop on Self love, while discussing the merits of it, a kind gentleman asked, “But I think self love is just too self indulgent and narcissistic! How can I think of myself when I have so many responsibilities towards my family and loved ones? Shouldn’t I be thinking of them first before my own needs?” ~ I smiled at him and said, “How can you fully serve your loved ones and make them happy, when you are not happy yourself? If you are having a shitty day, will you go home and be loving to your family or be moody?” He said, “Ofcourse, I’ll be moody! I have to vent at some point.” I responded, “Is that fair to your family? If you love yourself, you will NOT allow yourself to be sucked into a shitty day. You will give yourself the gift of calming down and being happy no matter what kind of day you are having, because you know YOU are worth it. Anger, irritations, shitty days etc won’t trouble your inner happiness. And then when you go home, how will you be with your family?” At this point I could see his eyes soften and he said, “I will be loving and kind……..I understand now…. that Self Love is NOT self indulgent or narcissistic…it is actually nurturing to me and all those around me too. Thank you!!!”