Love Yourself First
“So-Hum” and Sing
We are givers. We give our careers all of our daytime
energies. We give our families all of
our love and support. We give our
significant lovers a listening ear and open heart. We give dharma (destiny) our drive and
passion. So, when do we have time to give to our self?
Over time, this
neglect to love and care for our self wears and tears at the mind, body and
soul. We grow tired and weary. We lose interest in the tasks, people and
things we once loved before. We become
irritable and restless because something is missing. Love is missing.
I, too, have fallen
into this “always giving” category.
Whether it was skipping lunch to meet a potential client to now
prolonging a shower until my infant naps, I put the needs of others before my
own. By the end of the week, I’m
emotionally drained, crabby and making poor eating choices along the way.
Practicing yoga, all
aspects of yoga not just the physical postures, helps remind me to tune in and
tend to my inner house. Meditation
is a powerful tool, and I read countless articles on how it calms the nervous
system, rejuvenates the mind and soothes the soul. Speaking from personal experience, meditation
helps “file” my thoughts and emotions in my mind. I feel refreshed, organized and grounded when
I begin my day with as little as 5 minutes of quiet time.
Try “So-Hum”
meditation. Begin by sitting
comfortably with your spine tall and long and turning off any
distractions. Draw your breath slowly
into your nose while thinking or quietly saying “So.” Release the breath slowly as you repeat the
word “Hum.” Allow the breath to be
steady and even repeating “So-Hum” on each full breath. If your mind wanders, bring it back to “So-Hum.” Try practicing this meditation for 5 minutes
and add to it as time allows.
Notice the peace and
quietness it brings to the body.
Open your eyes and radiate your love.
“Love is in the air everywhere I look around.
Love is in the air every sight and every sound.
…Love is in the air, in the rising of the sun,
Love is in the air, when the day is nearly done,”
