Relationship Advice from Melissa Etheridge
The other evening, our entire family, including our two grandsons, went to the Ohio State Fair to see Melissa Etheridge in concert. We can truthfully say that we have never seen another performer with as much passion, energy, and musical talent (along with her band) as Melissa at this performance. She glowed and her smile, humor, honesty and convictions touched all of us.
She took us on a musical journey of her life--which included loves lost, her career, cancer, her lessons learned and her awakening. We were amazed at the range of emotions that she was able to take us through as she sang her way through her life so far.
One of her messages was plain and simple--You have to love yourself first before you can love someone else.
What a simple, yet profound idea that most of us are aware of but don't have a clue how to do.
Here are some ideas to help you learn to love yourself more so that you can love others more deeply...
1. Stop and take a look at your life and your priorities.
Ask yourself if you are the one deciding how you will spend your time and energy or is someone else deciding for you.
You may be in a job that you don't like. While we're not suggesting that you just quit your job without a plan, we are suggesting that life is too short to spend it doing a job you don't like. If you heart is urging you to move on to something else, take one step toward that goal.
2. Don't spend time in a relationship that is harmful to you and isn't working.
We're not suggesting that you give up quickly when things aren't going right in a relationship but we are saying that if you have tried to make it work, maybe you've been in therapy and it still isn't working--and you are being pulled down by the relationship, it may be time to let it go. If your relationship is filled with lies, infidelity or any number of other harmful things, take a look at why you are staying and considering creating a new life for yourself that is more uplifting and fulfilling.
3. Be in the present moment.
Stop worrying and stay in the present moment. We're not saying that you should stop planning for the future but we are saying that most of us spend too much time in our minds living in the past or worrying about the future. Stop and enjoy what's happening right now.
4. Appreciate your life.
Even in the most difficult of circumstances, there's always something that you can be grateful for. Look at your life and make a list of all of the things that are going right for you. Keep that list handy when you start to feel bad about yourself or your life.
Remember, this is your life. Live it from the fullness of who you are!
