Photo by Gauri Ma
Dear Reader,
You are here because you said Yes.
Whether in a hush or a whisper or a howl,
part of you said Yes to your Self.
To your life. To your body.
To your mind. To your heart.
To your desires. To your habits,
foibles, your supposed imperfections.
You said Yes to the Grand Holy Beauty that is you.
Photo by Hannah/UnpokenRomance on Flickr
By Sui Solitaire for Soul Spackle's Summer of Self-Love.
I was about to pass out.
I was halfway through my 90-minute bikram yoga class when I realized that to continue at all, even laying on my mat, would mean nausea and possible vomiting or blacking out. I was dizzy. I thought that the yoga would help with the cramps I was having, but instead, it pushed me to the edge-- an edge where I was gasping and blacking out every few minutes, even in the easiest postures.
Two things were at play here: my pride and my desire to be respectful. Though I've only recently started my yoga practice, I've never taken a break or left the room once. It's also very taboo to leave the room at all, let alone leave the class. Disrespectful to the instructor, to your classmates, and to the practice itself.
But there I was, experiencing extreme cramps and nausea, sweat-soaked in the middle of a 105 degree F room. Actually, I was in the front of the room, which made it worse.
My Self-Love Superstars!
Newsy BitsBack in June,
an amazing group of women helped me re-launch
Soul Spackle with a Summer Solstice giveaway. I am hugely indebted to them for their generosity. Now, check out this summer’s amazing guest-bloggers! They showed up for me in a major way and helped make the Summer of Self-Love a smashing success. Cheers to all you beauties, and thank you!!
But don’t let today’s title fool you -- although I celebrate the end of the
Summer of Self-Love, there’s more to come tomorrow! Check back for a wonderful guest post from Sui Solitaire of
Cynosure, a final assignment, your AMAZING Self-Love Graduation Certificate and a personal invitation to continue the self-love theme by joining me in
The Harvest!
Words and Artwork by Sylvia Barnowski for Soul Spackle's Summer of Self-Love.
There are days when self-love comes easy, she shows up almost organically – she IS just there. Other days… I struggle with impatience, self-criticism, and self-doubt. This is what happens when you are learning to take baby steps in self-love. Learning the ways to love myself is a process, a journey, and a discovery. Mostly, self-discovery.
Deborah King said that “We cannot live a lie and have peace. We cannot live a lie and have joy”; and I agree with her on that. So, for me, the first step in this process was to realise that I actually don’t love myself. I know, it sounds really harsh. However, being honest about not loving myself was a very liberating experience. It was a turning point in my journey.
Photo by Augusto Mia Battaglia
Written by Prime Sarmiento for Soul Spackle's Summer of Self-Love.
After a two-year hiatus, I decided to take up yoga again by attending a two-hour introductory workshop on Yin yoga. Never mind that there were several deadlines staring at my face. I just finished my most urgent report, unplugged my netbook and went to the shala.
It was one decision that I didn't regret. Never mind that I had to work longer hours in the succeeding days to make up for the two hours spent for the workshop and two-hour commute to and from my house to the yoga center. I will gladly trade off what is supposed to be my productive hours spent for writing reports to a session of gentle stretching and holding poses for about 15 minutes.
Written by Donna Thomson for Soul Spackle's Summer of Self-Love.
Earlier in my crystal journeys I was drawn to a piece of rose quartz to sit quietly with and explore its energy. Little did I know that this crystal was taking the role of teacher that day, and it was going to be teaching a lesson of self love.
It was made clear that this was something to be shared with others as a practical exercise yet it was never the right time. Now is that time.
Photo by Eke Miedaner
Written by Gina Rafkind for Soul Spackle's Summer of Self-Love.
Why is it so hard for us to care for and love our Self? One reason I believe is we get so caught up in the outer world that we forget all about our inner world. As we grow up, of course it is a significant part of the process to learn about our outer world.....what it means to obey our parents, teachers and the law, and what happens if we do not. And there is also the every day learnings of what keeps us safe so we can avoid unforeseen trouble and undesirable events.
Note from Sara: This was scheduled to be shared Monday in lieu of the usual assignment. We'll be doing Summer of Self-Love Wrap-up Assignment on Friday. Also, posts this week were delayed due to a hard drive crash on my end. There will likely be more than one post each day this week in order to catch up. Enjoy!
Written by Katy Rose for Soul Spackle's Summer of Self-Love.
Most of us go through life speaking our mind, talking to ourselves and using the words we learnt as a child.
However, language is how we define the world.
If everyone told you the sky was a shade of light green over and over again; if you were told that from a young child; we’d see the blue as a light green.
Our perception is altered by changing labels – that’s how the media works.
So how can you use language to alter your life and bring about more self-love?
Photo by Leanne Surfleet
Written by Carrie Hensley for Soul Spackle's Summer of Self-Love.
Hello soul spacklers!! It is such a treat to be here in this sweet loving space. I have a question for you all…Do you love your body? Can you embrace the war scars of pregnancy and childbirth? Have you been able to lick and address the wounds of sexual abuse, addiction, and eating disorders? Can you stand tall and proud despite the airbrushed super models that “grace” the cover of most magazines? If you said no, you are not alone.
