Re-learning How To Love Yourself

The white van wrapped around a tree just off the highway was a stark reminder.

Mid-week we were greeted by our first significant snow storm of the season. The timing of the storm kept many off the roads, but those of us who decided to head into the office were met with some significant commuting challenges. Just ask the driver of the white van.

Snow still brings out the kid in me. But with the first major snowfall of the year, the kid in me took a back seat to the adult driver in me as I navigated the yet unplowed interstate.

Driving in snow demands a fully present version of me, especially when it’s been quite some time since the last time I needed to. The infrequency of driving in these elements requires me to essentially re-learn how to actually do so. With my hyper attentiveness I notice everything. I notice the distance between the car in front of me and the one behind me. I notice any visible lane markings. I notice the level of traction the tires have with the road. I notice the responsiveness of the steering. I notice my mind planning for unforeseen contingencies.

I notice everything.

Most of the time driving is simply instinctive. We get in the car and obliviously go, often ending up at our destination seemingly unconsciously, distracted by music, podcasts, and phone calls along the way. Driving in less than ideal conditions is far more intentional and deliberate, with our awareness keeping us fully present in the process. It’s a process I need to re-learn every winter with every first snow.

Life can often feel instinctive. We get up each day and just obliviously go, going through our days seemingly unconsciously, distracted by the same things which distracted us yesterday and the day before. Sometimes life creates some less than ideal conditions for us to experience, internally or externally, and our unconscious almost automatic life now requires our full attention. Life becomes far more intentional and deliberate, we become more fully present in the process.

If we choose to.

Living a more intentional and deliberate life is a decision we get to make. In any moment. We need not wait for life’s storms of illness, heartbreak, and disillusion to push us to our breaking point in order to do so. Living intentionally and deliberately is a bold act of self love. Often, like driving through the first snow of the season, loving our own self is something we need to re-learn in the process. It’s a process of reconnection. It’s a process of self awareness, of self acceptance, of compassionately and patiently creating a safe space for you to be more fully you. And like driving in snow, it can be a stressful process, an uneasy process, an unfamiliar process. But your process is your path to arriving at the destination of the life you know you were created to live.

Life doesn’t always remind us of our worth or value, and without such reinforcement we can be inclined to believe it. Or, we can choose to accept that in an always intentional Universe our presence proves our purpose, a purpose inherently encased with our Source’s unlimited amounts of unconditional love.

You are worthy of receiving the same love you so easily give to others.

Especially from yourself.

Maybe it’s time to rediscover and reconnect with the beautiful authentic you?

Photo by Thom Holmes on Unsplash