marcoujor: Self - Love or Selfish... ?

I attended a program last Tuesday that initially struck me as outside my comfort zone.  Because I was attending with three close friends, I decided to push ahead - get out of my head - and check it out.
 
The group was being held at Anahata Yoga and Wellness Center, in Harleysville, PA. 
 
I immediately felt a sense of peace and welcome when I entered the studio of Amiee Wright of loveamiee.com
 
She greeted my friends and me warmly and respectfully - inviting us to make ourselves comfortable in the circle with pillows, supportive cushions for our legs - even soft blankets if any of us got chilly.
 
Amiee asked us to select the seat we wanted.  On each seat was a 'name badge'.  Mine happened to say 'I am wise.'  Others said: 'I am joy'; 'I am radiant'; 'I am beautiful'; 'I am love'; 'I am grateful'; 'I am free'; 'I am peace'. She reinforced that we were all of these attributes as she began our discussion on the subject of Self - Love.
 
She also gave us her most empowering affirmation on a card that I now keep displayed on my writing desk:  "I am grateful for the courage to make permanent change in my life".

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After we all introduced ourselves to each other, Amiee encouraged us to look into ourselves and become more aware of how we handle this subject of loving, appreciating and nurturing ourselves.

Every 2nd Tuesday  /  7-9 pm 

"We are actively creating the life we want or don’t want – each choice we make, each thought we hold onto, is an act of creation.  The life you long to live can be yours. ANYTHING is possible.  Anything can be.  And it all starts with LOVE.  You are invited to join the circle as we remind each other of who we really are, awakening our true potential through the restorative power of love." (Amiee Wright)
 
For the remainder of the time, Aimee worked with each of us individually.  She asked permission if she could stand behind us, touching us on the shoulders, head...and was understanding that not everyone in the group had the same level of comfort.
 
I'll share some of the intuitive feedback that I was given:
 
Aimee thanked me for attending and found me to be courageous in my willingness to try new things. She urged me to stick with 'self-love' - as I am the only one who can totally love myself. I was reminded that 'I am worth it' - that 'I do have love for myself'.  She acknowledged I was more comfortable choosing others over myself and reinforced that I have an opportunity to change history / shed old baggage.  I can do this with positive thoughts such as: "Today I am willing to love myself" - "Today I'm willing to forgive" - "I'm meant to live in freedom without excess baggage".  She ended by repeating several times: "You are amazing".    
 
As the class was ending, Amiee asked us to look at our badges, as there were 'stickers' on the back of two of them.  I was delighted that my badge was a 'winner'...!
 
I received a copy of: "You Can Heal Your Life" by Louise Hay - which is filled with loving affirmations and personal strategies.  Here is one example of an affirmation included in this book: 

"In the infinity of life where I am,
all is perfect, whole and complete.
Each one of us, myself included, experiences the richness
and fullness of life in ways that are meaningful to us.
I now look at the past with love and choose
to learn from my old experiences.
There is no right or wrong, nor good or bad.
The past is over and done.
There is only the experience of the moment.
I love myself for bringing myself
through this past into this present moment.
I share what and who I am,
for I know we are all one in Spirit.
All is well in my world."
(Louise Hay)

I'm quite sure that all seven participants had different perspectives and life experiences coming into the group - yet I believe all of us left with a feeling that we were worthy of self-love.
 
Each month this autumn, Amiee will focus the energy on one theme, or quality of expressing Love.
 
September - Illusions   /  October - Intuition   /  November - Gratitude

My Reflections:

I'm so glad I pushed past initial doubts and attended Amiee's session. I derived much self-insight in the opportunity I had to meditate in silence - as mental clarity is essential for me to truly focus. 
 
I'm grateful I allowed myself to 'be in the present'. For me, I have a tendency to think about how the past could have worked out better or what tomorrow will bring.
 
I realized that I have no problem teaching my students the importance of self-care and empowerment. I stress that self-care is not selfish. Yet, this was an 'easier said than done' concept for me to apply to myself. 
 
I recognize our society attaches a negative judgment to a focus on self-love, self-care and self-acceptance. I believe that factors such as age, culture, religion, and our upbringing can affect these concepts.

As loving as mom was, she put absolutely everyone before herself - at all times. I am starting to resist this familial tendency, after over fifty years of practice in taking care of everyone else but me. 
 
I realize that my views will appear self-centered to some.  I'm perfectly alright with that, as everyone is entitled to their views. For me, there is no 'right or wrong' - simply a self-acknowledgement that I must love myself before I can love and care for others.
 
So I believe I have finally answered this question on my own behalf. Self - Love is NOT selfish. And I'm sticking with it - for the long haul...and thought this song might be in order:
 
Whitney Houston: The Greatest Love of All

Meanwhile, in the rest of Weeblyhood, please check out the following:

Catching Up With femmeflashpoint via marcoujor's musings

Picking and Choosing via WarnerWords

Small Town-Big Talent: Denise Rapp of the New-Harmony Gazette via flashPress

Until next week, be peaceful.

Hugs, mar