Given the theme of this cycle, I choose to immediately start this post with this sugjestion:
Where is the love?
To finish this cycle this Freeday, I want to stress how important I feel self-love should be for all of us. If you cannot love yourself, can you truly love others? Perhaps you are trying to love yourself by loving others, but I think that kind of love will only last temporarily. Anything external will not be reliable over time in the long run. Confidence, direction, maturity, and stability need to be built up and relied upon internally IMHO. If you cannot appreciate yourself and your feelings, can you truly appreciate anything else? Honestly, I am not sure. It is only a sugjestion for you to ruminate on. I think about it a good amount.
Take care, be kind, be considerate of other people and other species, and be loving.
-John Lithgow
I like this quote, but I think it should be directed towards one’s self, too. Not in a selfish way, mind you, but in a mindful, healthy, and balanced way. I believe that our bodies are temples. We are blessed to walk this earth and cohabit it with all other living beings. We should treat it all with respect, including ourselves. How often might we not think twice about what we may be doing to our own bodies or what we may be putting into them? For a long while, I was very guilty of not thinking more first nor being more aware of my own actions and choices. As I consciously choose more nowadays, the experience is far more rewarding IMHO. The intention with which I pour into my life now makes me a better person. I am better-spirited, I am friendlier, and I am happier. As I tend to my temple as best as I can, it in turn takes the best care of me. While everything outside may (and often can) change continuously, I remain steadfast and resolute in my beliefs and my loving self-care. IMHO, proper self-love paves a path towards equanimity. In my mind, this segues perfectly between cycles. I tried my best to stay focused on love for these two weeks. Next, I will focus on change. It is one of the constants in life. Try as we might, we cannot control everything.
Are you building your temple up, or are you breaking it down?
Are you raising it or razing it??
For now, I’ll just keep swimming. See y’all on Sunday for the start of the third cycle. I appreciate anyone and everyone who takes a look here. Maybe it’s wise. Maybe it’s dumb. Time will tell.
It is love alone that gives worth to all things.
-Teresa of Ávila