Everyone tells us we need to love ourselves first in order to love others wholly and healthfully. But most of us have aspects of ourselves we don't like, that we reject, hate, or are even afraid of. Being able to accept and love those parts of ourselves—even without liking them, even as we are trying to improve them—can help us feel more whole, confident, and of course, loved.
Loving these parts of us, the side of ourselves often called the "shadow self," cannot be accomplished just by knowing about it or wanting it. These parts are deeply seated in our subconscious and influence every aspect of our being. In order to accept and love them, we need to see them clearly first. And then, we need to change their energy.
Everything is made of energy; everything has energy. We can more easily embrace our shadow side when we are filled with enough bright energy. We can then use these parts of us that seem "wrong," "hurtful," or "less than" for the deepest wishes of our hearts. Even our shadows can be applied toward our purpose.
Accepting and loving our shadow selves may take a lifetime of work. But we can begin today. Join us for an hour mind-body-energy work and meditation in which we will shine light on our shadows, embrace them, and let them become the helpers of our hearts.