We love to receive praise from our loved ones, our bosses, our professional societies and more. That recognition feels good! As we experience the Source Love always inside us, we find happiness and satisfaction on our own. We feel less needy for appreciation from others.
An Illustration
Salome enjoyed a good relationship with her brother, Kent. They could enjoy passionate discussions involving their spirituality, inner struggles and discoveries. S earnestly focused on shifting her habits of thought over many years. Sometimes she could offer a tip that was useful to him.
In their conversations, Sally listened compassionately to what Kent shared. To stay in harmony with him, she focused herself on primarily listening and appreciating the parts that felt good for him and that he could appreciate. She could cheer him on when he saw progress. This even in the face of noticing that her dear brother criticized himself a fair bit and felt much frustration.
On her path unfolding, Salome became awake to how much she longed for her brother’s belief in her. He stayed kindly for sure, and mostly reported his story. He was less interested in her approaches, tips and setbacks.
What did she do?
During her contemplative time, our star tuned more deeply into herself, toward receptivity and stillness. She listened into the divine presence within her, her inner guidance. Salome soothed herself with appreciations and with more recognition of her own value.
Truly what she received in that way became more and more satisfying.
On one hand, Salome had wanted laudations from her brother: to soak up his appreciation and then feel validated. Instead, she continued building her inner worth. S accepted and appreciated Kent on his path. The dear woman took responsibility for her own self esteem.
One day Salome received a profound new perspective: Kent who did not love himself unconditionally, could not love her in that way. “Oh it’s nothing personal,” thought our protagonist, “It has not one thing to do with me.”
The next year Kent and his family sent S a box full of offered treasures at Christmas. It included a holiday card with a note. Kent the brother, wrote many and beautiful appreciations of his dear sibling!
Salome read the missive and wept. K now articulated a list of what he praised in his sister, many positive attributes. This expression was just what S had longed for many years to read
Then, soon afterwards, Kent wrote about his reaction to a spiritual book she’d sent as a gift. The book is entitled A Story Waiting to Pierce You[1] . With enthusiasm, K explained that while the reading this tome he had had a break through. “Oh my God,” exclaimed, “I see the preeminence of each moment and the dazzling beauty there. That’s all I have to do.”
In earlier times Salome yearned to be told from an outside other that she is precious, loveable and with enormous value. Now she claims her own power to let in the love from her own Source Connection.
When her brother felt his own value, he could then honor it in her.
Take Away:
Allow our own dear self to feel the outpouring of love from Source Connection.
Love the others wherever they are in their process of unfolding.
Comments or Questions? Stories of Fostering Self Love? The author welcomes your input.
About the Author
Janet Pearlman is a spiritual teacher, counselor, healer and artist. These posts demonstrate everyday applications of the path to greater self knowledge and mastery. Opportunities for greater empowerment abound in the moments of our lives. As we all go for operating from a centered and loving space, we are creating a world where peace can prevail. In her forty-seven year journey of self-discovery, Janet has deeply studied the teachings of Abraham-Hicks, Ernest Holmes, Inayat Khan and more. Janet offers individual sessions by phone and in person. Please contact her at jpearl555@earthink.net to arrange an appointment.
[1] Kingsley, Peter, A Story Waiting to Pierce You (The Golden Sufi Center, 2010)