When it comes to self-love, many women entrepreneurs tend to equate it with self-care practices like indulging in a massage or treating ourselves to a delicious meal. While these acts of kindness toward ourselves are indeed beautiful expressions of self-love, there’s a deeper dimension that often goes unexplored – the love between your human self and your divine, higher self.
As I discovered through a profound journaling session, self-love isn’t just about loving your human persona; it’s about opening your heart to receive love from your higher self, the divine spark within you. And in turn, it’s about loving that divine essence with the same tenderness and devotion.
Dispelling the Myths: Self-Love Is Not Selfish
Before we delve deeper into this sacred exchange of love, let’s address some common misconceptions about self-love. Many believe that loving oneself is a selfish act, a form of vanity or narcissism. But the truth is, self-love is the foundation upon which we can genuinely love others.
Think about it this way: when you board an airplane and the oxygen masks deploy, you’re instructed to secure your own mask before assisting others. Why? Because you can’t effectively help anyone if you’re gasping for air yourself. Self-love is like that oxygen mask – it’s the nourishment that allows you to show up fully for those you care about.
Furthermore, self-love is not about excessive self-absorption or vanity. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. True self-love is about acknowledging and embracing the divine essence within you – the part of you that is connected to the entire universe. It’s about recognizing that you are a child of the Divine, a manifestation of pure love itself.
Cultivating a Relationship with Your Higher Self
So, how do you begin to foster this profound exchange of love between your human self and your higher self? The first step is to develop a relationship with your higher self, your inner divine guide.
Just as you would with any other relationship, you need to invest time and effort into getting to know this aspect of yourself. Meditation, prayer, and journaling are powerful practices that can help you establish a connection.
As you engage in these practices, listen for the gentle whispers of your higher self. Ask for guidance, seek wisdom, and be open to receiving love from this sacred part of your being. Treat your higher self with the same respect, kindness, and compassion you would offer a dear friend or loved one.
Loving Yourself, Loving Others
When you truly embrace self-love in its deepest sense – the love between your human self and your divine essence – something miraculous happens. You begin to see the world through a lens of unity and interconnectedness.
You realize that just as you are a child of the Divine, so is every other person on this planet. By loving yourself – your human self and your higher self – you cultivate the capacity to love others as extensions of the same divine source.
That love shines through in your business, as you foster better relationships with your clients and team members.
Practical Steps to Express Self-Love
So, how can you begin to embody this deep self-love and embrace your divine essence? Here are a few practical steps:
- Treat yourself with kindness and respect. Speak to yourself with gentleness, and offer yourself the same compassion you would extend to a dear friend.
- Practice self-care rituals that nourish your mind, body, and spirit. Whether it’s eating nourishing foods, exercising, or engaging in creative pursuits, these acts of self-care cultivate a deep reverence for your physical and energetic being.
- Extend love and compassion to others. As you practice self-love, make a conscious effort to treat others with the same kindness and respect you offer yourself.
- Seek out opportunities for growth and self-discovery. Embrace challenges as opportunities to deepen your connection with your higher self and uncover new layers of your divine essence.
By following these steps, you’ll begin to experience a profound shift in your relationship with yourself and the world around you. You’ll find that self-love is not just a luxury, but a necessity – a sacred exchange that nourishes your soul and allows you to shine your light more brightly.
