It's true what they say, 'love is not found outside, but within yourself.'
Question is why do we look outside for love rather than within?
Check out the video for more, but here are a few ideas from the video...
Problem is, we're aways trying to fit in... Heck we want friends right?
But in order to make friends and fit in, we start conforming to whatever we assume is normal or required of us. We want to get along with our family so we conform to how they want us to be.
While we're trying to fit in, we're constantly comparing ourselves with those around us and of course with rockstars and celebrities. Copying what we assume is required to be cool or successful.
That's how we start judging ourselves, trying to live up to some ideals or standards, and lose the value for our own uniqueness.
But here's an important distinction to make that a lot of "self help" does not get into.
This is not about love for yourself as in who you think you are in the world. That's the part that says, "I am important, I am something in the world. On the flip side it says, "I'm not important, I am not up to par."
Underlying all those negative or positive thoughts about who you think you are, or who you should be, there is an authentic, unique experience waiting to emerge.
See, right now, you are having a unique experience of life. No one else in the world is having the experience of life that you are having. No one has learned or experienced exactly what you have. No one else can fully understand the experience you are having. Plus it's not required that they understand or agree with your experience.
Everyone is having their own experience of life and they're free to do so - just as you are.
Authentic love begins when you value the completely unique experience of life you are having and accept what you are, exactly as you are right now. Because it really is a glorious thing, this life you have.
From this point of acceptance and love for your experience, you're no longer needing love, acceptance or approval for who you are and what you do. You're no longer trying to be something, prove you are something, or defending who you are.
The important thing is, how other people think or how they behave doesn't affect how you feel about your life. You don't need to conform based on their approval or disapproval.
The only thing that matters is that you accept and love your experience. That's the source of true confidence.
When you love your experience, you're free... and can accept people exactly as they are without needing to conform or control them into how you want them to be.
If someone's experience doesn't resonate with you, have enough value and regard for yourself to communicate clearly or move on to more important things that you do love. After all, it's your life we're talking about here.
From this solid ground of love, you're no longer trying to improve for the sake of fitting in, being successful, or searching for acceptance.
With love already found within, you naturally improve by focusing on things you want to do, what you're called to do, what you would love to explore, or create!
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Check out the complete video transcription and more at: http://www.awakefree.com/unconditional-love-for-yourself-and-life-experience/
This video is based on an interview with Don Miguel Ruiz Jr., author of "The Five Levels of Attachment" which reminded me of what my dad has been telling me all my life. Videos of the interview with Ruiz Jr. are coming up soon through AwakeFree.com
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