Tag Archive for 'self-love'

Remember the “Wedding Vase” – Together But Separate

When beginning any new relationship, particularly a “dating” relationship, it is easy to give yourself away. You may find yourself so caught up in the excitement and the infatuation of being with the other person, that you agree with almost everything the other person says and wants. However, as the relationship progresses, putting what you want and need below the needs and desires of the other person leads not only to giving yourself away, but damaging your self-love and your blossoming relationship.

The bottom line is that it is imperative to “Maintain Your Boundaries” (Heart Dating Principle No. 3). The seemingly simple act of maintaining your boundaries allows you to come together yet maintain your individuality, so as not to give yourself away to the other person and ultimately lose yourself in the relationship. Healthy boundaries reinforce the fact that you are complete within yourself and that you are coming together with this other person because you “want” to be and not because you “need” to be. When you come together in this way, you are more of an equal partner and your self-love remains intact.

In the Native American tradition, the Wedding vase serves as an ideal unifying symbol of being together but separate. It is a single vessel designed with two spouts symbolizing a man and woman living separate lives who are coming together. Individuals coming together while still maintaining their individuality is the best way to form a commitment of trust and strength.

What is “Energy Leadership?”

Honoring who you truly are in all aspects of your life enables you to fully express yourself.  When you are able to live in alignment with your core values; your level of consciousness, or level of energy remains high.  When your energy is high, you are more likely to attract a person aligned with your “core” values and ultimately the relationship you desire.

This way of “being” is achieved through a unique process known as “Energy Leadership.”  Leadership is how you interact with everyone, including yourself.  We tend to think of leaders in relation to small and large business.   However, we all interact with people on a regular basis and, therefore, we are all leaders.  Leading energy is the way we help move people into action, including ourselves.

The Energy Leadership process enables you to be the leader in your relationship journey by gaining the awareness and skills to raise your overall level of consciousness, or level of energy.  It is based on the premise that sustainable change occurs from the “core.”

Through this process, you will deepen your relationship with yourself, bringing you greater awareness of your true values and ultimately raise your overall energy level, or E-Factor.  Once you have gained this awareness, it becomes relatively effortless to embark on your relationship journey and ultimately find your ideal loving partner in a way that brings you passion and joy.

3 Steps to Bring Love Into Your Life

Love will enter your life only to the extent that you are prepared to receive it. Bringing love into your life begins with you. Real love, love that is deep and true and will last a lifetime, will come to you when you have identified and worked through the inner limitations that have hindered you from experiencing true love until now.

Step 1:  Reflect on Your Life

You may think that looking for love means joining internet dating sites, going to single’s venues or joining dating services. While these methods increase opportunity, they don’t increase the likelihood of lasting connection with another person.

I invite you to let love into your life knowing that all of your childhood experiences and all your past relationships, whether wonderful or difficult, have been preparing you for today. All of these past experiences helped to make you the person you are today.

Nothing you have done so far is a mistake or a waste of time. Rather, it has been critical to your personal growth and necessary in preparation to lead you to the love of your life.

Step 2:  Identify Your Inner Limitations

We all have voices in our heads playing old messages. They serve as inner limitations and keep us small in some way. Most old messages develop in response to a childhood issue we faced in fear.

To keep you safe, you developed a protection strategy which eventually became a “story” you repeatedly told yourself. It worked for a long time when you were a child. Now, it is so embedded in your being, you still hold tight to that childhood message or “story,” even though you are now an adult. It is a default. This old message no longer serves you; now, it has the potential to cause you harm.

So, what can you do?

Step 3:  Understand What Your Inner “Voices” Really Want

All inner voices have “positive intent” no matter how negative their messages may seem.  Through the process of “positive intent,” you can discover what your inner voice really wants. How? By asking it, “What do you want?” Eventually, your self-limiting voice will respond with a “core” want such as oneness, peace or love.

Once you can determine the underlying positive “want” of that inner voice,  you can then embrace it as a critical part of who you are. The next time you hear it, you can notice it, appreciate it’s helpful intent, and transform it into a more suitable message for who you are today.

Take the time to listen to your voices. They contain important information about what you really want and lend clues to areas that cause you fear. By paying attention and transforming “stories” that no longer serve you, you will be more open to finding true and lasting love.