Opening your Heart to Love
By Shelly Wilson
Love is, above all, the gift of oneself. ~ Jean Anouilh
I believe that there are truly two ways to view anything – through the eyes of love or through the eyes of fear. Fear comprises doubt, worry, insecurities, feelings of lack and less than. Fear resides in the lower energies, which is our human-ness or ego. Love comes from the heart and is a higher vibration. I view these choices and have labeled them – TEAM LOVE and TEAM FEAR. When posing this concept to my friends and colleagues, unanimous opinions vote to be included on TEAM LOVE. During discussions, we also recognized that we do have moments of fear and doubt as well as the other emotions, but we aren’t a regular on that team. With that said, which team are you on?
Being an active participant of TEAM LOVE begins with loving you and opening your heart to love. In doing so, you will discover your greatest gift of all – the deep connection to your Higher Self and inner knowingness.
Open your heart – open it wide; someone is standing outside. ~ Mary Engelbreit
Expressing love to others is vitally important. In doing so, we are opening our hearts to give love and to receive love in return. Love is a nurturer of the soul. Love ignites the flame within us. For many individuals, loving other people and our animal companions is easy for them. They find it easy to speak the words, “I love you.” Some individuals choose to express their affection by simply saying “Take care.” No matter the terminology, the underlying intent and emotion is palpable.
Typically, these same individuals may find it extremely difficult to love themselves and especially to express it. We tend to only see our perceived imperfections rather than seeing ourselves as a beautiful, unique, and miraculous creation. This quote by James Poland speaks volumes to the significance of this action.
Like the sky opens after a rainy day we must open to ourselves…. Learn to love yourself for who you are and open so the world can see you shine. ~ James Poland
Loving yourself first and I don’t mean in a selfish way allows the love you have inside of you to expand outwards. Loving yourself first is imperative in order to love others. How can we love another without truly loving our self? When you open your heart to loving YOU, you will attract this same love back to you because of the Law of Attraction. Choose to see the love within everyone. Express your gratitude for their presence in your life. You will experience a renewal within your relationships and within your heart as well.
Wearing a rose quartz bracelet or pendant or carrying a chunk of rose quartz in your pocket is a tangible reminder of this love. Rose quartz is the stone of unconditional love and infinite peace representing both physical and universal love.
I invite you to look at yourself in the mirror and say, “I love you!” It may feel awkward, but the awkwardness will soon melt. You may laugh at the silliness of this exercise. In reality, you will probably become emotional as you allow the feeling of love to envelope you. Know that you are worthy to be loved by YOU. You are loving the very essence of YOU. In loving YOU, you will love others more fully and freely.
Just as the petals of a rose opens, I encourage you to allow your heart to open fully. In doing so, this heart energy is in full flow. Being pure energy, whatever you think, feel, say and do has an effect on everything. Allow yourself to receive the same love that you are sending out. Embrace and bask in this love because you are love and you are loved. Believe it for it is so!
Opening your Heart to Love Meditation
Take a moment to just BE. Sit in a chair with your back straight and your palms up open to receiving. Close your eyes. Relax. Breathe in deeply and exhale.
Imagine yourself in the most beautiful tranquil place. This is your safe haven, your nirvana, your paradise. Your senses are heightened as you conceptualize this utopia.
You may have strolled into a hidden garden nestled behind an English cottage covered in ivy. Discovering a bench, you choose to sit down amongst the flowers and savor the sweet scents.The delicate fragrance of the roses and other flowers fill your lungs. As you sit and bask in this splendid aroma, it is time to ground your energy.
Envision tree roots coming up through your feet and a vine wrapping around your legs. This vine is extending upwards into your root chakra, moving up into your sacral chakra, moving up and extending into your solar plexus chakra and resting into your heart chakra grounding you in Mother Earth. Now, envision white light from Source consciousness coming in through your crown chakra, down into your third eye chakra, down into your throat chakra, and meeting with Mother Earth energy at your heart chakra. You are grounded to Earth and to Light.
Be mindful of your breaths. Feel your chest expand with the inhalations. Feel your chest deflate with the exhalations. Feel the love you have within you. Allow the essence of you to unfold and surround you.
This beautiful Divine energy surrounds your being. Allow it to envelop you fully. Open your heart to love. Be thankful for this moment and every moment. Allow this gratitude and love to flow freely through you and around you as you simply breathe.
Affirm ~ My heart overflows with gratitude and joy. I am conscious of being present in this moment. I recognize that I am love and I am loved. I am allowing myself to simply breathe.
Place one hand over your heart and feel the pulse of life within you. It is through your heart that you are connected to all things. It is here that you will find your truth. Open your heart fully and freely to love and all that love beholds. Love is a nurturer of the soul. Love ignites the flame within us. Allow the love you have within you to surround you. Feel the love wash over you in waves of bliss as it cleanses your body of any pain you have previously felt.
Just as the petals of a rose opens, allow your heart to open fully. Allow yourself to receive the same love that you are sending out. Embrace and bask in this love because you are love and you are loved.
Express your gratitude for the love that is within you and surrounds you. Once again, be mindful of your breaths. Move your fingers and wiggle your toes as you open your eyes. Know that you are love and you are loved. Remember that you are not alone on this journey. All of the answers that you seek can be found within if you take the time to listen.
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Shelly Wilson is an Intuitive Medium, Reiki Master and Spiritual Teacher Shelly Wilson would love to assist you on your spiritual journey. With respect, truth, integrity and love, Shelly honors your free will and recognizes that you are co-creating your reality with the Universe. She offers private readings, intuitive coaching, Reiki sessions, and teaches workshops. Shelly has two courses available through the DailyOM. http://shellyrwilson.com
