The greatest love of all
Is happening to me
I found the greatest love of all
Inside of me
The greatest love of all
Is easy to achieve
Learning to love yourself
It is the greatest love of all
The song, The Greatest Love of All, has a lot of meaning for me. I resonate with its lyrics on a deep level. And I love to sing. Singing is one way I express myself. I have fond memories of belting out the words of this song, with great feeling, with a close friend. It was a very empowering experience.
Singing can also be a form of meditation for me. I choose a song that speaks to me and sing it mindfully, several times in a row, while reflecting on its meaning and how it impacts me and my life. On several occasions, I have meditated on this particular song. One thing that I have reflected about is that learning to love myself was not “easy to achieve.” It was a journey that involved many years of therapy and other growth work. But once I reached that destination, I discovered how powerful self-love can be.
I’m not saying that I am perfect at it. I still have occasional doubts. During the Real Happiness Meditation Challenge this month, I discovered that these moments of doubt are more easily overcome with regular meditation practice. I came to appreciate that mindfulness of emotions, letting go of emotions and thoughts, lovingkindness meditation, and shifting the balance to more frequent mindful noting of the positive, were a powerful combination of practices that have already helped me to strengthen my self-awareness, self-compassion, self-acceptance, self-regulation, and self-love.
It has been two months since I began to develop my daily meditation habit. Now, even when I falter for a day or two, I easily get back on track. It no longer feels like an effort to meditate daily. It feels like a part of me.
Andrea,
This is such a beautiful song.
It is both interesting and surprising that the song writer found loving her or himself such an easy thing to do. So many of us are not born with such kind (or loving) self-acceptance.
I like the idea of singing this song and/or having it hanging up in a prominent place at work [for both the benefit of therapists and their clients] because it may serve as a gentle reminder for all of us that we are all worthy of our own self-love, regardless of what messages we may have received from our caregivers and/or society as we were growing up.
Thank you for sharing!
Hi Dorlee,
I agree that most people in this country do not come to self-love so easily. I believe it is, at least in part, a reflection on the emphasis on self-esteem, which is based on achievement, instead of self-compassion, which is based on self-acceptance.
I love what you said about using the song as a gentle reminder that we are all worthy of self-love. Thanks for your comment.
Warmly,
Andrea
Hi, Andrea
This post is great, and I love the precarious yet balanced stone image. Thanks for reminding me of the song. Also Yasher Co-ach to you for meditating so productively and regularly!!
You go girl……..
notice my new email address..(linked to my old one) but in preparation for marketing my new private practice. Even have a business #: 203-307-2286
if you have any referrals for me!!
Take care!
Love,
Rona
Hi Rona,
Thanks for the great feedback. I’m happy to remind you of the song, especially since you are the one who first inspired me to sing it!
If I hear of anyone looking for a therapist in Connecticut, I will be sure to give them your new contact information. Wishing you much success with your new practice.
Fondly,
Andrea