I choose love. I choose to love others. I choose to love myself.
Unapologetically.
I am loving. I am loved. I love.
I AM LOVE.

from Finding the Well in Wellness Cards, by Juli Conard, Art by Faith Myers

Think of a time in your own life where you have been loved conditionally. How did that feel? What expectations went with that love? Did it feel genuine? Was it okay? Did it feel safe? Did you feel free to be your authentic self?

How we love others is a direct reflection of how we love ourselves. Practicing self-care and self-love is really important in breaking though barriers that prevent us from truly accepting, loving and celebrating who we are and what we came to this earth to do. When we can do this for ourselves, we become masters at creating the space for unconditional love for those around us. It is easy to project what we don’t love about ourselves by pointing out other’s limitations, flaws and hang-ups. It takes real courage to recognize that what we don’t like in other’s is actually a mirror to what is unresolved and unloved within ourselves. Instead of criticizing and condemning those who trigger us, a more productive approach might be to take a breath or walk away and reflect on that part of us that is angered when we think of the other person. If we address that piece of ourselves, we will find that loving others through compassion and understanding creates a safe, non-judgemental space for unconditional love to blossom and bloom.

This week we are encouraged to really look at what calibre of safe, loving circle we are creating in our own life for ourselves and by extension, others. It might mean it is time to do a little heart-work, self-reflection and admission medicine, but it’s time. Time to really step into love. And to know on a deeper level that every human’s true essence is love and anything else is just a mirage.
Go on, I dare you: Love Hard. Always.

#findingthewellinwellness
XO Juli