Live, Shine, Shimmer, Love, Radiate and Repeat

Self-respect is a big part of the “Shine” element of this goal. I’m lacking that in some ways right now. I read a great quote this morning about it:

Self-respect is the root of discipline: The sense of dignity grows with the ability to say no to oneself. ~ Abraham Joshua Heschel

I thought a lot today about what it means to shine. I think it’s about being positive and confident. It’s all that “love yourself” stuff.

I always think if I can lose weight, I’ll love myself more. I’ve been eating better, and I walked up eight flights of stairs at lunch today. I got up to the fourth floor and started to take the elevator the rest of the way. Then a very strong thought came to my mind. If I didn’t push myself to go up the other four flights, that I could never expect any good to come my way in life. I’m not sure what that was about, but I headed on up the stairs.

I don’t think losing weight is the key to loving myself, though. I think it’s more about attitude. I’ve got a long way to go with that.

Today I’m confident that I’m living.

Step 1 Achieved!

Now to begin thinking about the definition of Step 2: Shine.

I think first and foremost, I have to live. I can’t shimmer, shine, radiate and love if I’m not living. So…

#1 Live

I think before I can love, I must shine.

#2 Shine

Once I shine, I can love. But to attract someone to love, I’ll need to shimmer.

#3 Shimmer

Then (hopefully) comes the love. This one is not so much in my control.

#4 Love

When one is in love, one radiates.

#5 Radiate

At that point, I think looping back through the list constantly is important. Gotta keep living, shining and shimmering to keep loving and radiating. Otherwise, it all fades away. This is the part that trips me up.

#6 Repeat

Thanks to Shawn Mullins for the inspiration.