Are you Worthy of Love?

For many years I was really uncomfortable in my own skin.  I had this buried belief that in order to be worthy of love, I needed to be beautiful, perfect and always “right.”   I wasn’t aware of this ridiculous notion until I was presented with a questionnaire while completing a Masters Degree program at the University of Santa Monica.

It was a simple process.  The questions were multiple choice and the answers consisted of: Yes, no or maybe

Here are some examples of the questions:

     Do you think you need to be beautiful to be loved.  My answer, YES!

     Do you think you need to be thin to be loved.  My answer YES!

     Do you think you need to be smart to be loved.  My answer, YES!

     Do you believe that you need to be right to be loved.  My answer, YES!

Hmmm, now that I was looking at my answers, I consciously knew they were ridiculous. 

I delved deeper into the dark terrain of my unconscious beliefs when a friend dropped by my house.  I had been sitting at my computer for 12 hours working on my book.  She said:  “Tammi, you sure are a hard worker.”  I said “Thank you,” interpreting her statement as compliment.  She continued: “What are you trying to prove and to whom?”  My hands froze above the keyboard midstroke.  I turned and looked her in the eyes.  My thoughts were not fully formed, but then I heard these words escape from my mouth: “I am trying to prove to my father I am not stupid and I am trying to prove to my step father I am not lazy.” 

Wow, there sure were a lot of things going on, on a very buried level, that was preventing me from living a loving life!

I think the most painful prospect of all, is not feeling worthy of love.  I did not consciously know I felt this way, but much had been revealed in a short period of time.  And now that these beliefs had been dragged out of the closet of my subconscious mind, and were exposed  on the center stage of my consciousness mind and in my life, it was time to make some different decisions, and set some different intentions.  I decided to explore the concept of relaxing into self- love.

I created some affirmations to help me claim this new way of being.

     I am perfect in my imperfection.

     I am worthy of love simply because I exist.

     I accept and approve of myself just as I am. 

     I am love, loved and loving.

Almost immediately, my life shifted.  People started being kinder, often asking me if I could use some help while carrying something heavy, or giving me compliments.  I was treated to coffee, lunches and thoughtful gifts.  I also saw more beauty in the world, from rainbows, to hummingbirds, to hawks soaring above me. Nature appeared more beautiful, the sky bluer, the grass greener.  Perhaps these things were always going on around me, but I simply could not perceive or receive it. 

My current intention is to love myself no matter what.  I can weigh more than I prefer, I can be silly, I can be imperfect, I can stumble, drop things, make wrong choices, and even be wrong! None of these things make me less valuable, or less loveable.  In fact, I believe these things make me more lovable! 

A friend said to me the other day: “I love that you are always willing to be wrong and look ridiculous!”  And, you know what, she’s right - I am!  And it all has been SOOOOO liberating!  I no longer need to argue for my point, or BE any particular way.  Acceptance is a beautiful thing.  Once we accept ourselves wholly and completely, we can authentically love and accept others.  And isn’t that what what everyone really wants?

These days I feel so much more relaxed and comfortable in my skin.  If I had known this,  I would have surrendered these beliefs long ago.  But better late than never!  I finally get it, I didn’t come to planet Earth be perfect I came here to be loving and that starts and ends with me. 

So now, some questions for you to consider:

     1. What do you think you need to do to be worthy of love?

     2. Who do you need to be to be valuable and deserving of what you want

     3. Who do you need to prove yourself to in order to finally feel accepted?

After you answer these questions ask yourself: Am I ready to surrender these beliefs and relax into a more joyful, sweet, kind and loving relationship with myself and all of life? 

I sincerely hope you say YES and join me in this magical realm of self- love. 

You are a unique spiritual being having a sometimes crazy human experience. You are magnificent, you are valuable, immensely worthy and amazing!  God thinks so and I do too! 

Please be in touch with any thoughts, questions, “aha’s” or revelations.  I would LOVE to hear from you and your stories of self-love!