Valuing Love

Written by Dr. Nathaniel Branden


Continued from page 1

Considerrepparttar case of romantic love. When two adults with significant spiritual and psychological affinities encounter each other, and if they have evolved to a decent level of maturity -- if they are beyondrepparttar 128881 level of merely struggling to make their relationship "work" -- then romantic love can become a pathway, not only to sexual and emotional happiness but also to higher reaches of human growth. It can become a context for a continuing encounter withrepparttar 128882 self, throughrepparttar 128883 process of interaction with another self. Two consciousnesses, each dedicated to personal evolution, can provide an extraordinary stimulus and challenge to each other.

But such a possibility presupposes self-esteem. The first love affair we must consummate successfully is with ourselves; only then are we ready for a relationship with another. A person who feels unworthy and unlovable is not ready for romantic love.

Of course, there are other kinds of love besides romantic love. What I feel for my grandchildren is a different kind of love. What it has in common with romantic love, however, is that I see in my grandchildren values and traits that touch my heart. But it would be a corruption of language to say that I "love" my grandchildrenrepparttar 128884 same as I "love" children whom I do not even know. Whatever my feelings for other children,repparttar 128885 experience is entirely different.

Apart from what I feel for my wife, Devers -- who isrepparttar 128886 highest value in my life -- writing is my paramount passion. What this means, practically, is that a good deal of my time and energy is devoted to writing. This has to do with living one's values, not simply professing them. You ask, "How do I bring love into my life?" My answer is that I focus day after day principally on what I care most about in this world -- on what I most respect and admire. That is what I give my time and attention to.

Since my highest priorities are my marriage and my work, I giverepparttar 128887 greatest part of my time and energy to them. With regard to my wife, I frequently communicate to her my awareness of allrepparttar 128888 traits and characteristics in her that I so much love, respect, appreciate, and admire.

We all want to be seen, understood, appreciated. I call thisrepparttar 128889 need forrepparttar 128890 experience of psychological visibility. I strive to make my wife feel visible to me.

I also spend a great deal of time thinking aboutrepparttar 128891 things I love. I am keenly aware of how much there is in life to appreciate and enjoy. I dwell on that every day. I do not take anything good in my life for granted.

I am always aware of our mortality. I know that if I love someone,repparttar 128892 time to express it is today. If I value something,repparttar 128893 time to honor it is today.

Dr. Nathaniel Branden Phd, is the author of over 20 books, including "The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem" & "The Art of Living Consciously. Click here for more information about Dr. Nathaniel Branden


CONSULTING YOUR SOUL

Written by Dr. Wayne Dyer


Continued from page 1

My approach to problem-solving involves cultivating an empty mind. In this space I listen, and allow myself to have complete faith that I will be guided inrepparttar direction of resolution. I let go of my ideas about how something should be resolved.

Finding spiritual solutions to my life's problems always involves generosity and gratefulness. For me, this means giving my life to my soul purpose and being grateful forrepparttar 128878 opportunity to do so. I believe that I get back fromrepparttar 128879 world what I put out torepparttar 128880 world, not only physically but also in terms of my thoughts. So, I recommend spiritual practices that involve being generous and grateful with thoughts as well as actions.

Nurturing a sense of connectedness to everyone and everything invites spiritual solutions. When I see myself as connected I am not looking for occasions to be offended or to judge. I don't see anyone as my enemy or an obstacle. This is how I relinquish negative self-talk and connect torepparttar 128881 solutions that are available to me. In moments of despair I try to affirm, "I see nothing, I hear nothing, I know nothing that is separate from me."

Finally I choose cheerfulness as a gauge of my level of spiritual consciousness at any given moment. The more cheerful, happy, contented, and satisfied I am feeling,repparttar 128882 more aware I am of my connection to spirit. So, does all this mean I'm suggesting that you always give money to people who ask for it? No. But I am suggesting thatrepparttar 128883 next time you see someone asking for money, look at that situation as being between you and your spiritual consciousness - between you and God. Consult your soul and if you feel that you don't want to give, don't. But rather than letting anger or judgment rulerepparttar 128884 moment, offer that person a silent blessing fromrepparttar 128885 part of you that is a part of him. This is consulting your soul.

By Dr. Wayne Dyer

Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, affectionately called the "father of motivation" by his fans, is one of the most widely known and respected people in the field of self-empowerment.

Click here for more information about Dr. Wayne Dyer


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