The Ying and Yang of Self-Love and Self-Giving

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Reflections

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Posted On September 25, 2016

The Ying and Yang of Self-Love & Self-Giving

It starts out as constant tension in the shoulders, at the base of the skull.
It begins to ooze inside the veins boiling the blood, as rivers of tension run throughout the body.

It’s there, beneath the skin: needle pricks of fear, angst filled with worry, pressure that builds up from the demands of daily living tugging, nagging like a jealous lover who won’t let go, pulling our lives in whirlwind directions. It may even disguise itself within the ego as Superman or Superwoman.

Other people can trigger it—that free-floating anxiety. An unkind word from a mate, a slow driver, an obstinate business colleague, soon life’s frustrations cumulate within the body rising up as anger seething within like a black cat snarling, arching her back, ready to attack her prey.

That feeling of being constantly overwhelmed, the churning irritation ready to launch a self-protective attack is a trigger, a reminder, a nudge that we have given of ourselves too much, forgotten to find the balance between self-love and self-giving.

Life is a dance, a balance between two twins: self-loving and self-giving. And when either of them is out of whack, they must be attended to in order to restore inner harmony and peace.

Listen to the twins. They are the ying and yang of a balanced life. Just as water must flow into a lake from a stream to keep it fresh and pure, so too our lives must be nourished by the self-love that flows from the Creator.

Let yourself be loved. Let the God of love embrace you. Say yes. It is not selfish. It is self-actualization. Take time to nourish yourself. Find solitude. Turn off the computer. Turn off the news. Leave your daily tasks behind for a while. Light candles, sit, and let your life speak to you. Take a long bath. Take a walk. Go to the woods. Let nature help you find your soul again.

And after having been bathed with compassion for yourself, allow the Creator’s love to flow in and through you, like a conduit, out into the rest of the world. Create the kingdom of love here on earth, now, as it already exists in heaven.

brian j plachta

Written by Brian J. Plachta

Following the Breadcrumbs God Leaves Along Our Path

What if God is speaking through ordinary moments more often than we realize?

A conversation that stays with us. A door that closes. A quiet nudge we can’t quite explain. An unexpected invitation that seems to come at just the right time.

The challenge is learning to notice these moments before we have any idea where they’re leading, and trusting the next step.

Over time, we may begin to see that God’s guidance doesn’t always come as an answer. Sometimes, it comes as a trail.

What to Do When God Seems Silent

Has silence ever made you feel like God is far away? When we feel this way, it’s easy to start looking for answers or waiting for a clear sign. But prayer can also be as simple as slowing down and noticing what’s already here. The breeze. The waves. Your breath. The quiet. God’s presence doesn’t always come through words. Sometimes we just need to be still enough to notice.

Let God Alone Define You

Ever have someone’s words get stuck in your head?
Maybe they criticized you, misunderstood you, or told a story about you that doesn’t feel true. And before long, you’re holding a courtroom in your mind—defending yourself, replaying the conversation, wondering if maybe they’re right.

There’s another way.

Bring it into the quiet with God.

Ask: Is there something here I need to learn? Is there something I need to own? And what was never mine to carry in the first place?

We can stay humble enough to receive the truth without letting someone else’s opinion become our identity.

Because in the end, God alone defines you.

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