Earth, Water, Sunshine
And a lazy afternoon
Are enough for some flowers to bloom.
What needs have I made significant to not be in gloom?
I decided to show up ‘in person’ to share my lazy afternoon thoughts with you π
I am watching myself, my compulsions, my almost obsessive needs that take me away from this abundant life given to me. Nothing a bit of sunshine on a winter afternoon can’t fix, and yet I seem to easily get back to being fixated on that one thing missing, that one kind of love from that one relation – making me feel like an imposter for all the joy of gratitude and greater Love that I keep sharing.
I am watching myself, with the same Love that I keep yearning to give others and be reciprocated with. The trick is, I have learned, to turn it all inward, pour it in oneself, for Love has to be directed inside-out. That is only how it radiates outward, pours out and changes the molecules in the air and the people interacting with you. I just sometimes wish it didn’t have to be that way, it is so painful when I have to love myself in those spaces where I am so adamant I don’t want to love myself, and yet I know how much I do love myself, and just this part of it, I want it exactly as I want it. You know what I mean?
Earth, Water, Sunshine
And a lazy afternoon
Are enough for some flowers to bloom.
What needs have I made significant to not be in gloom?
“I just sometimes wish it didnβt have to be that way, it is so painful when I have to love myself in those spaces where I am so adamant I donβt want to love myself, and yet I know how much I do love myself, and just this part of it, I want it exactly as I want it. You know what I mean?”
I do. I truly do. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us on this day, Pragal. Peace and blessings.
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Dear trE, I felt like – I don’t know what I am sharing today and I know what I am sharing, hope it makes sense as I hit publish. I truly appreciate your thoughtful response, and that you do understand means a great deal to me. Thank you so very much!
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You’re quite welcome. I’m sure we all have these thought-processes from time to time. It comes with being human. π
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π
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beautiful reflection from a beautiful person! Lovely thoughts and photo, thanks for sharing!
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Thank you so much, your lovely visit brought me a smile :))) Thank you for your kind appreciation.
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β€ β€
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Good observation: “Love has to be directed inside-out”
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Thank you very much Frank for highlighting that π
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Relational love is very tricky. We want and deserve to be loved by others. And we must love ourselves as you mentioned. Thanks for being so insightful and transparent Pragalbha.
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Reading your comment makes my own thoughts more clear to me. I felt like I was sharing without knowing what I was sharing. It is good to know that it felt clear and honest to you. Thank you very much Brad truly.
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You’re welcome. Writing helps me clarify my ideas too.
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1. Why don’t you deserve unconditional love?
2. Why do you give power to this one person whose opinion matters so desperately?
such a raw and honest reflection, hope these questions help … please take time to reflect deeply on them as they will help you unravel this block!
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Those are great questions to sit inside.
Thank you so much. This was in the middle of unraveling at layers not touched before, so it did feel raw. The post went out while I was deciding to skip posting this week, because I didn’t know what to say. I feel the gratitude and joy of it all now, with receiving your support and encouragement.
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we can all relate to your raw honesty, I appreciate it greatly and you are so open to learning and growing … that’s a real blessing!
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:))
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Pragalbha, what you’ve said here is something I’ve recently decided. One of the best ways to show love is to begin with ourselves, and then it radiates/vibes out from there to others β€
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Yes, thank you so much for reinforcing that. I keep learning how much more better I can get at this. That tree really invited me to rest with the elements to remind me how it feels like to feel the love from within.
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Estrangement from a family member and not understanding why, illness and pain experienced by someone you love and are unable to help very much, a feeling that someone you love holds views that create a distance between you…Relationships can be painful, and sometimes there is no solution.
Blaming yourself isn’t helpful…You have to love yourself and continue to do your best to live a happy, loving, and productive life, knowing that it will still hurt you sometimes. These are my experiences and I am sure they are shared by many other people.
Pragalba, I appreciate the honest feelings you have expressed. Know that you are not alone! β€
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“…and sometimes there is no solution.” – this is the truth that is so helpful to hear clearly. And then what you say next is the solution – being happy and productive is our first responsibility, to ourselves and all involved, regardless of what it looks like. Thank you for helping this get reinforced.
Indeed, so good to remember we are not alone, in any of these very human experiences. Thank you very much Cheryl for sharing your thoughts in reflection and appreciation _()_
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My pleasure, Pragalba. Your article was helpful to me as I struggle with all of the scenarios I have mentioned. β€
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I am watching myself, with the same Love that I keep yearning to give others and be reciprocated with.
β€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈ
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This means a lot to me.
Your knowing response and highlighting what is most important.
Thank you _()_
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Truly beautiful.
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Thank you so much, truly value your appreciation _()_
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Blessings.
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β I just sometimes wish it didnβt have to be that way, it is so painful when I have to love myself in those spaces where I am so adamant I donβt want to love myself, and yet I know how much I do love myself, and just this part of it, I want it exactly as I want it. You know what I mean?β I know exactly what you mean. It has shown up for me time and again, and in fact the more I desire it to be different than it is, it keeps showing up the same way, reminding me that I am the recipient of this Love always, and that I do not get to declare how it will be delivered nor experienced. It is the little iβness that is being reformatted here, ushering into my being a new sense of Love, with expectations to accept it just as it is.
β making me feel like an imposter for all the joy of gratitude and greater Love that I keep sharing.β There is definitely no imposter here, as you are doing and experiencing the pain delivered and are stepping into it, not away from it, learning, and sharing that learning and Love with all of us. Oh, the joy and sorrow of this path, and the wonder in each moment and gift bestowed, even when, maybe especially when it is difficult. I am so honored to have received this message and post tonight, as I had a difficult evening last night, similar to that which I am reading from you here, Pragalbha. This was the perfect read for me in this moment. Thank you. ππ
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“the more I desire it to be different than it is, it keeps showing up the same way, reminding me that I am the recipient of this Love always, and that I do not get to declare how it will be delivered nor experienced” – this here is the treasure, I agree and relate to it, and it helped to read it this clearly from you. Whenever it comes back poking at me, it is a clear sign that I am headed in to the next breakthrough layer of love, gratitude and acceptance. It is an upgrade afforded through these waves, until the next one comes.
Thank you so much for your encouraging support – I felt very raw, not knowing this from that, real from unreal – this post went out while I planned on not posting for this week. I surrendered to the flow. I feel so blessed to get to step in to the gifts of these moments – and then have such wise knowing caring acknowledgment and support from you for what this process is. My deepest gratitude that this reached you in perfect timing. Most heartfelt gratitude for your thoughtful response, ever kindly so much _()_
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β It is an upgrade afforded through these waves, until the next one comes.β This is exactly so. The feeling and the thinking resonate completely.
It is always my pleasure and honor. Reading you is a gift – it always comes at the perfect time, and also mirrors my learning and knowing so beautifully. Always impacting my heart and soul. Honored and privileged. Always. ππ
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Your authenticity and open heart and sharing is a gift Pragalbha. The journey you describe is the path we all experience from time to time when we are in a state of presence. Your mindful eye is a gift and blessing to all of us.
πππ
Your quote is beautifully written and so true :
“Earth, Water, Sunshine
And a lazy afternoon
Are enough for some flowers to bloom.
What needs have I made significant to not be in gloom?”
Thank for your observations and opening up space for all of us to know we are good enough and right n the right place. ππππ»π»π»π»ππ
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It is so fulfilling and validating to be received for the truth of my being in the moment. Your wise knowing and kind seeing of where I am supports and encourages me. This post had felt like – I don’t know what I am saying, why I am posting, it was alive as it was flowing. I could have easily skipped posting and yet this just went out. I am so honored and humbled that you would step into this space with me, and shine your light of appreciation. Thank you so very much Cindy _()_
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earthshine sometimes we all wade and walk on that water
be we son or daughter
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Very true, thank you for your thoughtful response.
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Sigh. It can be lonely loving ourselves deeply! I feel that too. As much as I am committed to loving myself, I do crave to be loved by another as carefully as I care for myself.
This may not be what you are feeling but what the words triggered in me!
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I am greatly deeply honored that you would share what this post brought up in you. I can relate and understand – it feels lonely even when I am in good company when I am fixated on that one thing missing from that one person – it is a huge sign of us going towards our next personal breakthrough in self-love, I believe. Thank you for helping me become honest in these conversations. Thank you truly for your thoughtful comment.
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βΊοΈπΈ Iβm always grateful to have honest and deep conversations with people of like mind! πΈ
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While I used to wish to be in a loving relationship with a companion I could laugh with, now my list includes being able to connect on a deep spiritual level and with someone who has done their inner work and has reached a point of living in peace and not in anger or fear!
This upping my requirements narrows the field considerably! Lol!
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I would like to imagine that the pool of aware and awake ones is increasing in general, and then it is now so much easier and sharper for you and the One to spot each other from your narrow field :)))
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I like your perspective! Yes, indeed! π
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π
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Let the Love that comes from deep within nourish you PD. Love is always there beyond your thinking mind. Sending more love your way today π
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Love is always there beyond your thinking mind. – This is a very nourishing reminder I will take in today dear Val. Thank you so much, your deep wise seeing and love is received deeply.
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Excellent…. Self love, Self care, and Nurturing of oneself and when we each do those simple things in love and appreciation we also help not only heal ourselves, but we help heal the world as we send our vibrations out into the cosmos…
Wonderful to SEE.. You β€ π
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Thank you very much dear Sue for ‘meeting’ me here. Your words reinforce the perfection of these experiences – the waves of thought emotions and the abundance of care & nurture available for healing. Your visit is a wonderful gift always :))))
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Bless you Pragalbha, overjoyed with our connection always. πππ
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Brilliant poem and you are looking so nice and comfortable, Pragalbha. Love starts first and foremost in ourselves and then it flows to others. Let us all have our vibrations connected with the cosmos. Too good.
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The tree invited me lovingly to rest on Her and I was reminded of all the love available π Thank you for kindly appreciating and reinforcing with your thoughts of wisdom. Thank you for such encouraging support always.
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You are always welcome dear and yes nature is so inviting and beautiful at all times. Have a wonderful day ππ
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Nature shows you her abundance and unconditional love Pragalbha, I love how all four elements (earth, water, fire, wood) are present here π§‘
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Mother Nature does always bless me with so much. Thank you very much Xenia, I love that you notice the elements π
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Are you pushing that tree into the water? I knew you are a strong woman but I didnβt think you were that strong π
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Hahahaha LOL thank you for the laughter, you know how much I appreciate it!!!
And on another note, thank you for reminding me of my own insanity for what I might just attempt if I decide to :)))
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You are welcome. That may be a lesson for you-to laugh more. I turn laughter into love; works for me. You can try to be wise, responsibly good and serious, yet you can do it with lots of fun, not just a smile π I dare you to be silly π I challenge you to write something funny! Haha
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I hear you, I hear you :))) Laughter does feel very precious to me.
I have taken your challenge to heart – will see when and what flows hehe π
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Pragalbha, let me tell you honestly self-love is no substitute for the unconditional love from that one person we yearn. But we don’t stop living or loving if we don’t get it. Sometimes it does not radiate enough to touch that person in the way we want to. That does not make us an imposter if we talk of love.
Your beautiful verse is worth contemplation and that is a lovely pic. Sending you hugs.
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Dear Punam, your words are so clear and straightforward – such comfort for the heart to read the truth conveyed from a loving friend like you did. It feels so good to be validated for our feelings, we know they are temporary, but they are so real while they last. Thank you very much for taking the time and sharing your thoughtful response.
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Exactly! “They are temporary, but they are so real while they last”…the good news is it doesn’t last for long. You are welcome, my dear. Always be true to your heart. β€οΈ
You are welcome. π
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Smiles :)))) and Much Love to you.
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Recognizing our needs, and what we lack, are great steps to understanding and knowing oneself. It’s all lessons to get us ‘there’. π
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Ah you made such smiles for me :))) and make it so simple to rest in. Your words brought in a lightness and a refreshing to the perspective. Thank you π
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You are surrounded by such beauty lovely lady! A reflection of the beauty you carry within. β¨ A bit of sunshine on a winter afternoon does do wonders for the heart and soul. π Enjoy!
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Your words bring me joyful smiles :))) I appreciate and recieve your kind loving words, and that you feel the same about winter sunshine – so good for the heart and soul. Thank you for shining your beautiful positive light on my sharing.
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Itβs powerful when we realize when and where we are reluctant to love ourselves more. I feel this. I believe I understand it well. I am also wanting to enjoy the joy that is given to me so naturally and see where I spend βtimeβ on the pain and discomfort of relating to others at times.
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It feels so good and validating to read you reflecting back in clear and resonant ways Ka. It make me feel I am in very good company, and not lost as I was feeling in those moments when posting this. These are temporary waves but so real when they do come. Thank you for saying all that you did Ka- it is empowering to witness this together.
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All the sun can do is shine. It does not control the clouds, neither the drawn curtains, nor them that don’t want to unlock their doors and step outside. The sun irrespective shines…and sometimes it takes a winter to realise that sunshine is not just about its being bright, but also the warmth it generously gives, which is inherently embedded in each ray of its light. π
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This is so good for me to read, so good :)) I am receiving your message in various layers true for me. Your words radiate a similar warmth and that light in all gentleness, reminding me it is our choice how much we allow ourselves to soak in, how much we might choose to withhold just because.
Thank you very much for this very thoughtful and beautiful reflection, thank you.
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The picture you’ve chosen for this beautiful post is breathtaking…captivated by the totality…the colours, the words, this earth, the sun, the shadows, the shades, the water, the tree, the nature & picture’s nature…I presume, it’s you I’m seeing…after seeing this picture from the eyes of my I…I started reading your words…every single word that you’ve written is there, I found…and they make sense…this picture says it all, Pragalbha…am I speechless?…yeah, pretty much β¨
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Your presence is so good for my heart-mind π You bring the eye of oneness and see the oneness present. This tree invited me to rest on it, and I realized the richness in the simplicity of the moment available to me. The fulfilling fullness had me question my other tendencies. You are very kind Navin, very. Deep smiles your words give me. Thank you for such heartful thoughtful attention.
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You must know, it’s you who’s made me see what I see…bright shine your lines give me…so thank you for making me connect with your beautiful words, Pragalbha…
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Humble Gratitude my friend _()_
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Your words and you in the image compliment each other. Stay blessed Pragalbha.
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Thank you so much dear Rupali for your kind words and blessings, they give me deep joy.
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I SO love the amazing four lines you share here at the start and finish of this piece as they set the framework for the beautiful expression inside!
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I am so greatly honored and happy to have your kind visit and appreciation. Thank you so very much Jaya _()_
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Love this post , Pragalbha β€οΈ
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Thank you so much Yassy, I am very happy to know π
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My pleasure. Always look forward to your posts.
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Thank you π
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Yes, love truly does start from within. Itβs the most powerful form of healing. But itβs a lifetime journey isnβt it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
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It is a lifetime journey yes π Thank yo very much Miriam for your kind visit and affirming this experience.
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I often find myself getting unsettled by one gnawing little thing that eats away at me and threatens to spoil any peace of mind. Maybe I feel as though if I don’t have control of every aspect of my life, then I don’t deserve peace until it’s all settled. Yet peace shouldn’t be a reward for being perfect, right? We need that inner core of self love and acceptance because we can’t just wait for everything to be in place.
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peace shouldnβt be a reward for being perfect – how perfectly said dear Hetty. Yes that inner core of self love and acceptance is exactly what we need to cultivate. Thank you so much for reading and sharing your thoughtful refelction.
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I adore the wisdom behind this Pragalbha…and it made me ponder too…thank you for sharing thoughts today
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Your kind loving words of appreciation waiting here were a joy to receive, thank you very much Mich, I am glad to know my words were meaningful for you.
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You are so right! We keeping seeking that elixir, that missing piece assuming that having it will complete the sense of something amiss, make us truly happy without realising that the missing piece is indeed us. As difficult and unreal it may all seem, just being happy without letting the gnawing fear of incompleteness can lead to so much happiness! Thank you for the lovely share.
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” the missing piece is indeed us – just being happy without letting the gnawing fear of incompleteness can lead to so much happiness” – you said it all so perfectly, I truly appreciate your thoughtful reflection on my post. It is so good to be reminded of this in different words as it comes to each of us. Thank you very much for your kind visit and time.
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The pleasure is absolutely mine! It indeed is interesting to share our interpretations and realise that we all inherently wish to be happy π
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π
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i want is exactly as I want and I do know what you mean. And I must admit it is getting difficult to love even myself by the day.
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It is so easy for us to feel that way isn’t it? Oh but that’s exactly when we need our own compassion and love the most – the Universe literally lines up magical ways of support our way, if we are just willing to begin first, with loving ourselves in the moment with everything there is. I say this from continually living in my own ebb and flow of capacity, I have simply learned to accept it all and trust. Sending you lots of love, ease and joy my friend – keep choosing what is best for you. Thank you very much for kindly visiting and sharing your response.
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What an encouraging piece of writing! I like that you are watching yourself, with the same Love that you keep yearning to give others. This is so beautifully said. I need to remember this, too.
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Thank you so much Khaya π You repeating that line for me, comes back as a loving reminder, and I am very grateful that you found it meaningful. Very kind of you to visit and share your reflection on this.
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As you said plants need earth, water and sunshine then flowers bloom. We too need love, affection and attention. What we give that we receive sometimes little late but we get it back surelyβ€οΈ
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You said it perfectly and exactly, I loved reading your reflection, thank you very much Jane for taking the time. My apologies, I missed responding to you earlier.
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No worries. Visit my blog when you have time. I have no problem. I understand that everyone is busy, dear β€οΈ
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This comment of yours somehow didn’t show up in notifications so I missed responding. Fortunately I spotted it on the post yesterday π
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It’s okay dear. I don’t notice this everything. Take care β€οΈ
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π
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I know exactly what you mean! Love this post
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It is such joy to have your visit and that you get this :)) Thank you my friend.
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πππ
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Loved your relaxed picture,Pragalbha. It’s wonderful that you share your innermost thoughts. It’s so easy to focus on the one thing we don’t have or the one person who does not show us love in the way we want to be loved rather than all the people who love us without question. Because, that’s just how the human brain is wired- we want everything and we want it the way we want it. I’ve been telling myself to focus on the good- what if focusing us enough to multiply the good? Would you then focus on the bad? I’ve also been telling myself that focusing on anything other than the good is being ungrateful to God. I hope this thought helps you too.
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focusing on anything other than the good is being ungrateful to God. – this is a beautiful and powerful statement dear Smitha, truly appreciate and love it! I will remember it that way now. Gratitude has been my foremost tool towards peace, so this speaks to me very clearly. Thank you my friend for your thoughtful reflections and kind visit.
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Yesterday afternoon, I was on the beach with a clear view of the mountains in the background…couldn’t have asked for a better view. However, I felt empty, being fixated on what was missing, not being able to put my finger on what exactly it was. Thank you so much for the reminder that “love has to be directed inside-out”, Pragalbha. A beautifully authentic post as always.
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Dear Magarisa my friend, what a joy to have your visit here :)) You bring the reminders back to me – love directed inside out is such a raw process, we are able to appreciate the beauty only with our willingness to live through it. I can totally relate to your experience of teh afternoon on the beach. Thank you so much for sharing with me.
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My pleasure, dear friend.
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