I am washing dishes as our guests are still at table.

 

My wife asks me to go downstairs to get a bottle of bubbly to celebrate a win. One of our guests is just closing on her home sale.

 

My response: “I’m washing up.”

 

Instead of getting the bottle.

 

Almost immediately my left ankle starts playing up. I have to hobble the rest of the night and even this morning.

 

All fine and good. The bottle is brought up. We celebrate. But…

 

It takes longer than usual to get to sleep. 5 hours later, I wake, still tired, but can’t get back to sleep.

 

In this state, I am paying attention to my intuition.

 

I feel shame, a deep well of shame.

 

Why did I not demonstrate my love by getting the bottle of bubbly when asked?

 

When I love another, I really love myself. We are all one after all.

 

What causes me not to love myself?

 

Earlier we had talked about how self-hatred is woven into the programming we receive in our society.

 

Could this be it?

 

And, could it be that the Universe is showing me the pain of not loving myself? By giving me pain when I don’t love myself by loving another?

 

I had to get up, do my ten minutes of Laughter Yoga. Prepare my warm milk with nutmeg. The same recipe my mother used to get back to sleep.

 

In the morning, I ask forgiveness. Mostly I ask myself to forgive me!

 

The pain shows me how important self-love is. And how important to undo the self-hatred programming.

 

Loving myself by loving others.

 

Your thoughts?

 

In Joy and Love

 

Matti Anttila PLD (Professional Laughter Dude)

Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher

Head Honcho at EasyStressRelease.com

Author of The Zen of Joy

 

“Joy and Love are key to overcoming our inner turmoil as well as the challenges and chaos present in the world.”

 

Free resource: “108 Tips for More Joy, Energy and Health.”   Click here:  https://joyenergyandhealth.com

Do your own research. Do not trust mine.

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