Have you ever felt like you have hit a wall? That was me yesterday. Feeling like I have no more than fumes to give myself. In addition to teaching, working my business, single mothering and tending to family, my self care has been set aside. Sometimes in life, that happens more so than we can be aware of. And the result was hitting a wall. Yesterday, I immediately scheduled a Reiki session and attended a yoga class for myself. The difference today is like night and day. As my mentor said to me today, sometimes we have to let ourselves experience that dark place we don't like to go to, just to come back to our light. The key to unlocking the way through is awareness. Despite resistance of care towards ourselves as we ride through our day to day, is knowing we can come back home to ourselves through the tools of self care. She also said, sometimes it takes a little more for us to find the tenderness for ourselves. Because more often than not, we are not tender to ourselves.
I was taken by the word tenderness and thought of Elvis Presley's song Love Me Tender, of course. This song's intention is to express the desire to be loved by someone else so deeply. But when I took a moment to read its lyrics, I began to say the words as I was speaking to myself. It felt comforting to tell myself, Love me tender, Love me true because I am worthy of this incredible love I can give to myself. Just as you are.
And just as I feel I can gift those words to myself, I felt I needed to share that sentiment here. I know it may sound silly, but humor me. Read the song's lyrics as if you are speaking them to yourself. The transformative feeling of that love is so immense as the intemtion to love one's self.
If you are up for taking this a step further, stand in front of a mirror and speak the lyrics to yourself. Take a deep breath. You are incredibly loved and finding the tenderness to give to yourself is ok and deserved. You do so much for others, be tender to yourself.
Love Me Tender
Love me tender,
Love me sweet,
Never let me go.
You have made my life complete,
And I love you so.
Love me tender,
Love me true,
All my dreams fulfilled.
For my darlin I love you,
And I always will.
Love me tender,
Love me long,
Take me to your heart.
For it's there that I belong,
And well never part.
Love me tender,
Love me dear,
Tell me you are mine.
I'll be yours through all the years,
Till the end of time.
Even if you think it's silly, try it. You will thank yourself for the tenderness you are showing yourself. And, you will feel more loved and ready to give love again.
Tell me what you think.
Join me tomorrow at the chapel for Yoga with Ana, where we will feel the tenderness for ourselves through movement, self love and self care. Registration is encouraged https://www.pcsam.org/event-details/yoga-with-ana-the-self-care-doula-8
Blessings,
Ana
Resident Yoga Teacher and Self Care Soula
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