Usually on Footprint Friday, I write about positive ways we can impact our environment within our homes, communities and world. In talking with others this week, we acknowledged that how we treat ourselves does have a great impact on our environmental footprint. So today’s message is all about self-care and self-love.
Long, long ago in therapy and via self-help books, I learned that we cannot truly love anyone else unless and until we first love ourselves. As I think about the love, care and attention required to assist in the healing of our planet, I realize that we must treat ourselves in the same way. So today is all about just that–love and care of us! Sometimes really loving and accepting ourselves is the biggest challenge of all!
The BELLISIMA GODDESS RECIPE FOR SELF-CARE requires that you care for yourself in ways that honor you and the planet at the same time. I challenge you this week to pick 1-3 items you can begin practicing and/or incorporating into your daily routine, keeping in mind that anything you do for yourself, you do for your family, your community and our planet. Since we are all connected, everything we do individually does ripple out into the world. So instead of thinking of these steps as selfish or self-absorbed, consider them as the ripple of life and love you are extending out into the world. Have a blessed day, week, month, and year celebrating and loving yourself!
THE BELLISIMA GODDESS RECIPE FOR SELF-CARE (PART ONE)
Ingredients:
A quiet space
A comfortable place to sit
Dedicated time for yourself
An open heart
“Tools of Love” of your choosing to enhance your experience (see below)
A desire to get to know yourself more intimately
A mind free from judgment, criticism or self-ridicule
A body willing to move
Method:
The Morning and/or Evening Ritual
1. Pick a time each day–free from distractions–when you can sit alone for thirty minutes to one hour.
2. Gather your “Tools of Love.” These could include:
*Candles (non-parafin please and preferably scented with essential oils)
*Meditational/inspirational music or sound (preferably without lyrics so you can hear your own words and connect with your own feelings)
*A journal
*Inspirational book
*Vision board or inspirational photo or piece of art–painting, sculpture, card, etc.
*Guided visualization exercise
*Cup of green or herbal tea and/or water
3. If using the above tools of love, do the following:
*Prepare your cup of tea or glass of water. I enjoy green tea every morning and early afternoon. Also, sitting in the evening with a relaxing herbal tea is a great way to “pause” and reflect on your day. As I pick up my cup and hold it in my hands, I immediately feel the warmth flowing into my hands. I then feel myself take a deep cleansing breath and release it as I bring the cup to my lips. Somehow in those few moments, I begin to relax and find myself immersed in the pleasure of sipping my tea.
*Light your candle and start your meditational music. As you look at the candle’s flame and listen to your music, take time to check in with yourself. Feel your body. Are there any areas that are tight or experiencing pain? Breathe into those areas and allow yourself to really relax and sink into the experience of spending time with YOU. Pay attention to your feelings and thoughts. Are there any troubling or distracting thoughts preoccupying your mind? Breathe into those thoughts and feelings and with each out-breath allow those thoughts and feelings to be released for this present moment. Visualize breathing them into a balloon and allow the balloon to float away. If you believe you need to return to them, tie a ribbon to your balloon and tie the balloon to a pole. Feel free to return to these thoughts later (or not). As young girls, I taught my daughters this visualization. When they had worries and couldn’t go to sleep, I would guide them through the visualization which allowed them to release the worry and settle down to sleep. More times than not, those exact worries never came up again the next day!
*Put your vision board in front of you. If you don’t have a vision board, choose an inspiring photo or other form of art which speaks to you. What you look at could be a treasured object, a photo of family, friends or a special place. Or it could be a drawing or painting. Whatever the vision before you, it should connect to your heart and evoke feelings and thoughts that make you feel good–warmth, joy, happiness, peacefulness, serenity, hope, dreams, intention, possibility, etc.
*Pick up your journal and begin writing. Be sure that the journal you use is one you really connect with. It should be the size, texture and color you love. If you like to write on lined paper, be sure it has lines. Choose the type of binding you prefer: a spiral-bound journal or a book binding or something that’s tied or hand-sewn together. If you are really creative and inspired, make your own paper and bind it yourself. And of course choose a pen that inspires you as well. I have a separate pen I use for journaling–I like how it feels in my hand and the color of it. I do not use this pen for writing grocery lists or paying bills or any other “chore.” I only use it for journaling. Give yourself permission to write freely without any evaluation of what you’re writing for about 15 minutes. If you allow the process of journaling to be free-flowing, you’ll discover how you’re feeling and what’s in your heart. Journaling allows mind, body and spirit to connect. It serves as a wonderful cleansing and clearing-out process. Often, some of my most inspired thoughts come through my journaling.
*Read something inspirational. It could be a daily meditation book by an author you love or a vignette or chapter by an author you really connect with. Whatever you choose, allow the words to really sink in. Take time to just sit with the reading. Be sure that what you’re reading truly inspires you and motivates you to be the best, most loving person you can be! I have a number of books that I read in the morning. I read my daily meditation book each day; however, I rotate other books depending on what I feel drawn to. No matter what I choose, they are all writings that inspire me to greatness.
*If you are comfortable doing so, take some additional time to meditate for whatever number of minutes are comfortable for you. Remember that meditating is simply getting quiet and still. Meditation involves a type of inner attention that is quiet, concentrated and at the same time relaxed. The greatest difficulty for anyone meditating for the first time is that their mind has never been trained to create inner quiet and attention. There is a misconception that to meditate requires the mind to go totally blank and that all thoughts have to stop. This in itself is impossible as to do this would mean that you would have no awareness of self or place. Do not create pressure for yourself about how your meditation should be or what to expect from your meditation. Also, do not try to force the mind to be empty. You should not attempt to give the mind a direct suggestion or to control your mind. Simply observe and let it become quiet and calm.
*If meditation seems too uncomfortable, you can try a visualization. There are plenty of CDs and recordings you can download from iTunes or YouTube that will guide you through a process of deep relaxation and the experience of connecting within. Whether you meditate or use visualization, you’ll find yourself refreshed and relaxed after spending some time in either of these quieter states.
*After your meditation or visualization, allow yourself to come into the present and begin moving your toes and fingers. Stretch your arms and upper body before standing up. Once you feel ready, stand up, but do so slowly. Begin to move around and when you feel ready, continue to move into the activities of your day or night.
Tomorrow, we will continue with Part Two of the Bellisima Goddess Recipe for Self-Care. For tonight be good to yourself!
