In a state of self-destruction, the words we repeat to ourselves are ruthless and unkind. Life is painful when thoughts decapitate the connection to the compassionate heart where love evolves. Self-care can seem a difficult task. Almost impossible. Seeking resolution and ways to feel better, the words, “love yourself” seem like an out-of-reach destination to check off a bucket list when both money and time for that vacation are bountiful.
How can you love yourself when you mentally repeat the mantra, “I hate everything about my life”?
There seems to be a growing number of people dissatisfied and unhappy in respect to their situation (work, family, friends, status). During an interview with Eddie Mullins, I asked him how does a woman love the person in the mirror when she dislikes herself on a very deep level?
Eddie replied, “Everybody has trauma, and all trauma is emotion that is energetically stuck in your body. Psychological therapy may be necessary based on what happened. For many, it's not a mental condition, it's more of an emotional condition. To answer your question, you have to take one step at a time.”
It is common to be told to 'love yourself,' 'respect yourself,' 'be gentle with yourself’ by close friends and family members during difficult times. They are most likely expressing an observation as to what might be missing from your ‘normal’ emotional state from outside of your point of view.
“It's about going inward,” said Eddie. “One of the best things that's going to help somebody in that situation is to get out into nature. You cannot be out in nature without having some type of energetic shift. It's about honoring yourself by taking care of your health and being gentle with yourself.”
Being aware of the ways in which we avoid caring for ourselves is vital. Often times we withhold love from ourselves when we don’t make time for the things that matter to us. We also withhold love from ourselves when we disregard the importance of connecting to our own hearts - to finding out what we really love, and what we really need to maintain a sense of balance. Another way we avoid self care is when we ignore our instincts. The ones that are telling us to slow down, speed up, or veer off course altogether. We often miss, or stifle, the
Listening
To A
Loving
Voice
Listening
To A
Loving
Voice
A conversation
with Eddie Mullins
By C.K. Kochis