by Jo Torres
Love has to come from love of self before we can truly love others. Love is freedom and happiness–our own freedom from the external influences around us, and the freedom to allow those we love to be who they are. Love is working to pull forth our own happiness from within and the desire that the other person becomes even happier than we are. Love of self comes from a strong sense of who we are, that we are awesome just the way we are.
If we are being influenced into being unhappy or angry by others, or those we “love,” then it is a sure sign that we do not really believe we are awesome (Buddhas), but that we are looking for validation from others, often through the “proof” that someone loves us. We can only develop a strong identity of self through our thoughts, words and actions each day.
When we work to develop our inner potential, then we realize our self worth. If we waste our days away doing nothing of real value, or succumbing to the negative influences of the world around us, we buy in to what others say or do, allowing “them” to influence our identity of self worth.
Each of us are awesome just as we are. We are Buddhas, just as we are. There is room for improvement, for pulling from within our highest potential, but we are wondrous beings in this moment.
Live in this moment. It is all there is.



