Isn’t it funny how many of us feel guilty whenever we do something nurturing for our self or feel like we are doing something wrong when we put our self first? Many of us feel selfish when we even think of our self before anyone else. Why do we do this? And how do we get out of this pattern?
It seems sometimes like we “give” so much to others – even to our own detriment – that eventually we get resentful that no one does the same for us. Many people who are terribly compassionate to others (to the point of martyrdom) or who have a desire to please others to be liked tend to fall prey to this a great deal of the time if they are not careful. How can we say no to others? Aren’t we taught that we should “Do unto others as we would have others do unto us?” How about “You are your brother’s keeper”? Yikes!
It is important to have AS MUCH love and compassion for your self as you have for anyone else. Otherwise you will be out of balance. When you realize that you are but a reflection of the other person AND that they are a reflection of you, then you begin to see that – if you do not have compassion for your self in a given situation – you really do not have compassion for anyone else anyway (since you are a reflection of them!).
What about when we feel that others do not show us the love or respect we think they should be showing us? We can’t change anyone else or live anyone’s life for them… we can only change our own self (our perceptions) and be a role model. How about modeling a little self-love so that others can begin to show us the reality (as a mirror) that is our intention? Remember that we are powerful creators in our own life. Once we sent our love out for our own self BALANCED with the love that we send out for others, then we will begin to attract to us people, relationships and situations that reflect mutual love, respect and compassion.
How cool would that be?!!!
Loads of Love and Light to you all! And to us too! 🙂
Tracy Latz, M.D. (a.k.a. “The Shift Doctor”)
-For information on “The Shift Doctors” and their books, CDs, videos, seminars and other articles see their website at www.shiftyourlife.com
