I’m not entirely sure how it came about, but I have within me a compassion for all beings that I have never felt before. I believe it’s been building in me ever since I made the conscious decision to take responsibility for my own happiness. These days my experience is more like a movie in some ways, especially when I see others suffering as I once did, caught in the reactive cycle of life and taking things way too seriously. Life can quite literally be all work and no play when you are engulfed in negativity. Even playing with my kids turned into me yelling constantly when I was acting from fear, disconnection, and unhappiness.

Of course, having been overweight during part of my life, I feel the pain of those who have a lot of literal weight to bare, and know that deep down they are struggling, even though they may show outward joy. On the inside, their spirits are starving to make a loving connection with their human selves, but they don’t know it.

When we withhold love from ourselves, we are completely disconnected from our inner being. Our inner beings have nothing but love for us, so when we act from a place of self destruction, self loathing, or self hatred, we are acting out in complete opposite of how our inner being sees us. This is why it feels so incredibly bad. We are out of alignment with Source energy and our true being, which has nothing but love for us.

Give love to yourself.

No matter where you are in your journey, love yourself first. Get centered by aligning with your inner being, and then, and only then, act. Center yourself through meditation, deep breathing, exercise, or doing something that makes you really happy.  Stop reacting to the world around you and travel within.  Check in with yourself often, and see what you feel about how your life is going.  What feels good?  What is draining your energy?  What does your spirit crave that you’ve been denying?

Unconditional love.

No matter what we have done or haven’t done, our higher selves love us unconditionally. This is true for all beings, even those that society labels as outcasts and criminals. If we were all connected to our inner being, there would be no crime to speak of. Individuals creating crimes are not acting from a place of interconnectedness or alignment. They are caught up in fear, and acting from a place of disconnection and misalignment.   If only they knew how loved and supported they are!

I had a daydream today about what would happen if all of humankind came into their power at the same moment in time.  I am thankful that I know I am the creator of my reality and it is because of this knowledge that I act out of love for others and love for myself.  I am planting the seeds that create more love in my existence. It is my wish that everyone know this deeply one day.

See only love.

If you are ready to take responsibility for your happiness then I encourage you to try to find a piece of yourself in everyone you cross paths with each and every day. Withhold judgment and know that everyone is doing the best they can with the knowledge that they have. Be the light in the room instead of adding to the darkness. Show compassion. Smile. Say please and thank you. Hold a door longer that you would like, and find the similarities between you and another. We are quick to make judgments of people without even talking to them. Get to know someone, if even for a few minutes. You never know what a little love and attention can do for someone.

If judgments and criticism arise from your ego, just be aware of the thoughts and let them pass by. Choose a better feeling thought and move on with your day. If you feel the need to vocalize your judgment to a friend who may be nearby, notice this too. Stay silent, and notice your ego’s response. When you practice this enough, the ego will soften and you will no longer feel the need to vocalize judgment because the judgments will no longer arise in you in the first place! Eventually you will have only love for others. And you will have compassion for their trials and tribulations.

Love yourself first.  Spread the love, and you will change lives.