Day 21: Centering Sunday

How do you describe or define self-love? How do you create loving space for yourself? What was your experience as spent a few minutes together in mindful meditation today?
I love this community where we can share and support each other.

Self -Love is kinda hard to explain, put the way I see it, it's an opportunity to be their for yourself, to take time and think back on how far you've come in life, it's a time to just let go and unwind. Some people might see it as love yourself more than others but as the Bible says and teaches us "We must love our neighbors as much as we love ourselves" so self-love is just a moment to take time for yourself to look inside yourself and say "You are more than what you have become" it's a journey of growth. It's a moment to be there for others as well.

Making sure to take care of yourself, so that you can be there for others

I struggle with self-love. I have been working self-love and telling myself I am worthy & good enough.

I feel very similar, Maria. It has taken me years to slow down enough to realise it is okay if I take a moment for myself. And that it is okay to accept help from others and even ask for help when it is needed. Some days I am more successful than others.
I like to think I am in service of others like the Oxpecker that lunches on the back of a rhino. Helping others nourishers self. But some days I just feel more like the rhino, just picked at. However, that rhino takes no mind and accepts that help with pride.

Okay this might be a little random, but it make sense in my brain. So, I am being brave and sharing anyway.

I like to take long relaxing baths with Epsom salt and my favorite essential oils.

Not feeling guilty about saying "yes" to things that fill your "cup," bring you joy or allow you to rest or saying "no" (at least this time) to people or things that don't bring you joy or when you just don't have enough in your "cup" to share. Trying to give myself the empathy and care that I give to others.

This is taken from a book that resonated with me: If feel guilty, wonderful, hallelujah. I must have done something right, I acted on my own behalf for a change.

If a refusal saddles you with guilt, while consent leaves resentment in its wake, opt for the guilt. Resentment is soul suicide.

Self love has to come from within first. We are not able to really love others as the Bible says if we have not love. Everything we do should come from the abundance of love in our personal life. If our bucket is empty we have nothing to share. As we do things for others we are spilling out from our abundance of love and filling up their love bucket. It becomes a win- win for both of us. Self love is not being self centered. Now a days everybody is into "me". What can I get out of this for me. When we empty ourselves by loving others our reward is so much greater. As we pour ourselves out we are filled with more 💗 . Just an FYI- you are all loved and worthy of 💕. If you struggle with finding it….it's OK. Work on what Ruth had us go through to get to that place. It will come for you. None of us on here are perfect. We all struggle in some area.

to me self love taking care you you which I struggle with Im always taking care of others 1st and not myself learning to make sure I have the time set aside for myself too.

The meditation was beautiful. Very calming and soothing.

I’m really not sure how to answer that question yet about how to describe self love.

I like to work out for my self love, but when I have over done it I read…

Self love for me starts with giving myself permission. Permission to feel happy. Permission to accept compliments. Permission to feel loved. For some reason these have been things that I have truly struggled with for many years. Some days I do better than others. But giving myself that permission opens the door to allow so much more (self love) into my life. Some ways I do this (giving permission) include daily affirmations, and letters to my current or future self.

I am a giver and it is a challenge, but self love to me lately means getting up in the quiet of the morning alone to pray and have devotions and start my day before everyone gets up.

I feel like I take plenty of time for myself and doing things that are physically and mentally beneficial. Getting outside as much as possible (sometimes to work in the yard and take that burden from my husband, sometimes to take a walk in the woods nearby, etc.). We invested in a Relax Sauna which I only use at the moment. I'm looking at Rebounders to be more physically active. I am always listening to health and wellness experts. Taking the time to do these challenges. Attending bible studies and getting into the Word of God daily. Spending quality time with friends and family. Listening to my windchime and watching the birds we have at the feeders. Travel. Volunteering. Cooking for sick friends. Sometimes I feel guilty that I have such a life…

Getting up at 5 to have alone me time. Another new habit I’ve developed is learning something new in my me time.
On the doc talk days that I can’t watch until noon I find myself looking for something else to watch and learn.
I use to turn on the tv-this new habit it much much better.

I've always struggled with Self-love for many reasons. Growing up with 10 in our home on the farm it was almost impossible to do such a thing and carry that with me yet today.

I am grateful to be part of this challenge. At night as breathe balance reflect on the goodness of the day.
Absolutely loved Ruth's meditation!

Self love is self care.

I enjoyed the meditation. This is not always the case for me. Normally I find meditation difficult because I have trouble quieting my mind and being present. Thank you Ruth!

I am a giver and it is a challenge, but self love to me lately means getting up in the quiet of the morning alone to pray and have devotions and start my day before everyone gets up.

It’s so good you have the discipline to do this - to get up in the quiet of the morning to pray and devote.

I've always struggled with Self-love for many reasons. Growing up with 10 in our home on the farm it was almost impossible to do such a thing and carry that with me yet today.

Thank you for sharing this ❤️

I always enjoy meditation.