Self-care seems to be the latest buzz word, but when done correctly, it can be incredibly beneficial. It’s not just popping on a face mask and drinking some wine, it’s taking time to self-reflect and not only think about how you want to live your life, but actually spend time doing the things that create the life that makes you happy. I’ve come to realize that every single decision you make in your life has a consequence and can either get you closer or farther away from the life you want to live.
I didn’t always make self-care a priority. I was hyper focused on productivity and I felt that time spent on myself was “selfish”. But here I am to tell you I learned the hard way, that if you cannot take care of yourself you can’t really take care of the other things in your life. I’ve found life changing advice and tools when I take the time to reflect. There’s a million and one self-help books but A Return to Love is one that I wholeheartedly recommend.
This book focuses on spiritual surrender, relationships, miracles, work and achievement. A Return to Love is commonly considered Marianne’s (the author) own reflection to the widely known book A Course in Miracles by Helen Schucman. A Return to Love is a must read for someone who needs a little mental TLC and some positive life affirmations. It reminded me that love is stronger than anything else and with love we are all capable of the impossible.
About the Author
On top of falling in love with this book, I also fell in love with the author. Marianne Williamson is an acclaimed author, lecturer and activist. She was actually a guest on Oprah’s talk show back when her book first came out and is now considered Oprah’s spiritual guru. Marianne has given many lectures in regards to A Return to Love and has even taught many courses on it as well. She is now also running as a democratic candidate for the 2020 Presidential Race. One of my favorite quotes of hers from the book is;
“Love is the essential existential fact. It is our ultimate reality and our purpose on earth. To be consciously aware of it, to experience love in ourselves and others, is the meaning of life.” – Marianne Williamson
Takeaways
The most significant takeaway from this book is that everyone is deserving of love and love can truly heal. It’s somethign we actually have to take time to remind ourselves as we age. When self-doubt from the noise of this crazy world around us starts to creep in, I learned to remind myself that I’m where I’m supposed to be and that I deserve love not self-destructive thoughts of chases.
I began to trust that though I may not feel I’m exactly where I want to be, I do trust that wherever I am is where I’m meant to be in order to achieve what I want. That every step plays its own role in the process.
“We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?” – Marianne Williamson
Another important part of this book is miracles, and it’s not how you’ve probably heard miracles talk aboued.
We’ve often been taught that miracles are ground shaking and earth shattering events. If you’re lucky, you’ll experience at least once in your lifetime. While this still might hold some truth, Marianne defines miracles differently. She sees them as an occurrence of anything that was previously considered impossible. Marianne said one other thing that really stuck with me. She said that miracles are just changes in perception.
Think about that for a second.
Doesn’t that just ring a powerful realization of how simple positivity can be? It really is all around us if we open our hearts to it!
Your definition of the miracles in your life should be custom to you and the things that bring you that incredible joy.
I can talk about Marianne for days, but to really understand it I highly encourage watching this video of her!
The Difference
This book is so unlike many “self-help” books and really has a unique perspective that shifted things for me. There is no force of opinions, but rather a resource for new ways to bring and accept love and happiness in your life.
Check this book out for yourself at Barnes and Noble, Target, Amazon and even on Audible. I’ve included some other versions of self-care I divulge in that I think you might enjoy down below. Here’s a link to another one of my favorite books!