Realizing the Love All Around Me

It's funny how depression takes you so far down that you can't see anything but your dark hole. Your mind makes you believe that there are no friends, no love, no anything. This has been the hardest part of my recovery. Understanding where love comes from and where love does not come from.

Love comes from inside of each one of us. If we only feel self-loathing inside, then we get nothing positive back from the world. In order for each one of us to feel love, we must love ourselves. The love we feel for ourselves, the love that fills our chest and overflows to each person, animal and thing we meet will come back to us ten-fold.

It really is true, that once you love yourself - it becomes easier to find love. Think of it in this manner: when we feel poorly about ourselves, it is obvious. Obvious in our posture, obvious in how we dress, obvious in a million little ways that others can sense. It isn't becoming, it doesn't make you a magnet for people or anything else. Think about it! At a party are you more likely to approach someone who is standing tall, laughing and enjoying themselves or the person who is flat lined over in the corner clearly not enjoying themselves?

Realizing, of course, this is a bit simplistic but gets the point across that you get what you give.

There is no fear, condemnation or judgement. I belong in the world that I live. I love people and am also loved by people. I have a deep sense of confidence and trust, I am no longer anxious about anything. I am secure in my life.