Inner Treasures

One of my great teachers, Annie Sherwood, recently asked me to make a list of things that I treasure about myself. This idea touched my heart because I know that it is only when we truly love, appreciate, and approve of ourselves, that we can treat ourselves and others with love and respect. On the other hand, if we don't fully love ourselves, we may end up harming ourselves in big and small ways, not setting boundaries, self-medicating with addictive behaviors, and feeling overwhelmed with fear, insecurity, anger, stress, worry, and so on.

So, she said to make a list. I need to make this list. I have had trouble setting boundaries with someone lately and then feeling angry afterward. Perhaps this list will set me free. Perhaps if I find more love and respect for myself by thinking about my greatness rather than worrying about my smallness, I can release the past. I can release resentment and fly freely.

This reminds me of a powerful meditation experience I had a few years back in an intensive in Jakarta. I was deeply inside and then saw a list of my faults. I anxiously began to go through the list of faults. God showed up (thank God) to go through the list with me. God was lighthearted and chuckled, “Oh, I love this fault. I love that fault. Even though you have this, I still love you. I love you despite your faults. I love you.” I went through the list until nothing was left and God loved me all the way through it. Of course, I was blown away by this experience of being with God. I also remember thinking that if God can love and accept me as I am, I could do the same.

Louise Hay says, "Everyone suffers from self-hatred and guilt. The bottom line for everyone is 'I'm not good enough.' It's only a thought, and a thought can be changed. We create every so called illness in our body. Resentment, criticism, and guilt are the most damaging patterns. Releasing resentment will dissolve even cancer. We must release the past and forgive everyone. We must be willing to begin to love ourselves. Self-approval and self-acceptance in the now are the keys to positive changes. When we really love ourselves, everything in our life works."

My Treasures
- I am courageous. Courage carrying me to Italy, China, and Indonesia. Courage attracting immense grace and healing in these journeys.
- I am faithful and I have faith. I believe in the power of family. I treasure my husband and our deep friendship and love.
- I am spiritual and steadfast. I treasure my 14 year commitment to my spiritual path and practices.
- I am a good teacher. I treasure this gift to be a teacher. May I deepen my capacity to heal, be healed, and to touch lives.
- I am willing to change. I understand that I attract whatever comes into my life and that if I want to change what I am attracting, I must be willing to look at myself and my beliefs and make a shift. I am willing to look. I am willing to change.
- I am not self-conscious (most of the time) and I dance like no one is watching.
- Almost 40 and just discovering my inner athlete. Got to love second winds.
- I am a good mother...which means more to me than almost all of the others put together.
- I love and approve of myself exactly the way that I am.