A recent experience has led
me to examine my worth and how much I value myself as a woman. For many
reasons, women often hold on too long to relationships that don’t honor them.
We are afraid of being alone, we’re scared no one else will love us, we are
dependent on another person financially, emotionally and psychologically. We
settle for less than we deserve. When someone hurts or betrays us, we wonder
what we did wrong in order to warrant such treatment. We tell ourselves “If
only I was more ________ (pretty, sexy, fun - the list is endless), he/she
would ___________ (love me, make time for me, put me first - again the list is
endless).
I’ve come to understand that when someone acts toward me
in a way that goes against what my soul desires and needs, it is not due to any
defect or wrongdoing on my part. It simply means that the other person has been
careless with my gifts and that my needs are not being met. My gifts and love
are too precious to casually drop into the lap of someone who doesn’t appreciate
their value. My light is too beautiful to be put in the care of someone who is
afraid of or won’t tend my fire. We can lose sight of the value of the treasure
that is us, and our light will fade if these are not carefully guarded.
So many people think it takes great courage and strength
to consciously let in the light bearers and shut out the ones who would steal
our treasures and carelessly toss them in the trash, but I say it’s how much we
love ourselves that enables us to make these vital choices. Loving ourselves
means we honor our gifts and value our worth. We recognize how precious and
magical we are. When we realize and really embrace our worth and beauty, there
is no way we could ever entrust our gifts or light to someone who doesn’t value
us as much as we value ourselves. There is no replacement for this true, deep
and vital love.
Closing the door and moving on from someone or a
relationship that wounds our souls is imperative to our self-preservation and
peace, and it is absolutely necessary in order for us to be free to polish our
treasures and tend to our light for others who honor us to receive.
When we love, respect and honor ourselves in this way,
our love for ourselves and others radiates throughout the universe and we find
more and more people and relationships that are worthy of our gifts and our
light.
