Linked to Love

Written by Maria Milagros Vazquez:

The Difference Between Self-Love & Ego Selfishness

Self-love is a healthy and optimistic regard for oneself. Meaning, it cultivates self-awareness and self-acceptance, self-reflection and self-respect, self-care and self-compassion, and self-advocacy. It is a practice that enables a growth mindset, healthy well-being, and a strong foundation to build healthy relationships and communities. We cannot give what we do not have. Such a way of living allows us access to greater levels of love and therefore give greater authentic love. It is the most powerful path to healing. The drive for self-love is for us to get healthier, in any and all ways, so that we show up from a healthy place, lead from a healthy place, interact from a healthy place, and literally cultivate healthy places and spaces within and around us. That is not selfish at all. It is in fact love in action because LOVE is a verb.

Operating from ego is generally guided by an inflated sense of self-importance and superiority. That mindset, which creates a hierarchy in which one needs to be on top in order to be 'enough', is not connected to love, but to fear. That is both selfish and dangerous. When we are operating from fear, we do not practice self-awareness or self-reflection because that requires self-analysis and challenges the hierarchy. The ego and it's hierarchy are fragile and doesn't have room for growth. It does not operate from respect, care, or compassion.

“Me First” from Self-Love & from Ego

Sometimes with self-love there is a need for 'me before you' so that, "I can get ready to give you the best of me, not what's left of me. I cannot give what I do not have. If I am depleted, I cannot show up for you in intentional and loving ways, as I may want to, because I'm literally fried." Self-love and self-care to the rescue.

Ego leads with 'me above you' so that, "I can have what I need and want at any cost to you. This is not a partnership or a community. This is about me getting what I want, when I want it. Me first and me second." There is no love or care in this equation.

There's a huge difference there.

Self-care is self-love in action and practice. Let's practice.

Info: 5:30p Doors Open
/ 6- 6:10p Introductions/ 6:10-7p Self-Love & Self-Care Discussion & Exercises /7-7:10p Break /
/ 7:10-8p Sharing Love Discussion & Exercises
/ 8p-8:30p Process & Mingle, Get Linked by Denise & Purchase ‘The Love Journey’ with Maria

Host or Publisher Maria Milagros