“Sometimes it is necessary to reteach a thing its loveliness.”
Galway Kinnell
You, at the core of your being, are so incredibly lovely. Have you forgotten? Well, this is your reminder.
Maybe it’s necessary to relearn your loveliness. Just reading these words, can you find it?
Beneath the habits and struggles, beyond the mind-imposed limitations, outside the noise of should’s and have to’s, you are lovely. Take away everything that troubles you – the dramas, disappointments, inadequacies. Regrets of the past, worries about the future. These are figments of the imagination that seem so real.
Always Here
But in truth they are insubstantial. In this moment, you can turn away from them, and they gradually dissolve. Poof! Gone in an instant, just for now, and now, and now.
And you remain, the loveliness that you are. The magnificence of being aware. The awe of what appears right now – this loving breath, these beautiful sounds, the movement of your limbs like a ballet, the aliveness of every physical sensation.
Look into anyone’s eyes deep enough, and there it will be. Beyond perceived separation between you and me, the source is lovely aware presence. No name, no gender, no role or status. It’s where we meet as one in love.
All you need to do to remember your loveliness is to pay attention. The signs are everywhere because everything overflows with it, all parts of the whole that is you, alive with presence in this very moment.
Never Not Lovely
You can pretend you are damaged, fake your unworthiness, masquerade as limited and small. But nothing that has ever happened can touch your loveliness.
You are lovely, free, and alive prior to any disappointments, despite anything you have done, no matter what anyone says.
What do you need to relearn your loveliness? It’s the simple remembering of what is always here.
- Let your mind and body be spacious and still – just for a moment or two to start.
- Take a generous breath when you feel stuck.
- Notice beauty in all things.
- Stop the madness of incessant activity.
- Follow what brings you joy,happiness, and peace.
Put your mind on pause with all its complications, and perceive reality with the innocence of a newborn. Let all labels fall away. No difference between space and objects – all part of the totality. No preconceived notions or mindless habits. Try living from here, with your heart open wide.
Aligned in truth – intimate, lovely, and fully alive.
Have you forgotten your loveliness? How do you relearn it? I’d love to hear…
image credit
Chris Wheaton says
Just stumbled onto your blog and instantly knew that this was no accident….a lesson that I am constantly learning….it is a breath of fresh air that resonated deeply…..thank you for your beautiful words of encouragement!
Gail Brenner says
So glad you found your way here, Chris! May you know the freshness possible in every moment…
Christopher Foster says
Hi Gail, I’m so happy I followed my impulse to hop on over and see what Gail is up to. You’ve written a beautiful post here.
I feel your warm, strong expression helping to dissolve the thick curtain of dismay and self-doubt that so often makes us forget the loveliness that is always present at the core of our being. Blessings to you Gail.
Gail Brenner says
Beautiful words, Chris. Thank you so much.
Yes, loveliness at the core of our being – your expression of that is so clear. Sending love…
maggie says
So amazing.. I had an “Aha” moment in therapy last week when I broke down and said to her that I fear I am just like my father.. negative and pessimistic.. she replied “what would it look like if you were wrong about that?”.. the rest of the week that question kept popping into my head .. what if I am NOT like my dad? what if I am actually lovable, and positive and wanted? SIgns appeared everywhere showing me this was indeed the truth.. then this came in my email box.. another sign!! WOW!! SO glad I was open enough to see.
Gail Brenner says
A warm welcome to you, Maggie, and so glad this post resonated.
Our fears can sneak in undetected, as you saw. You feared that you were like your father, but that is just a projection, a guess, and a thought that deserves investigation.
In considering that it might not be true, you are open to seeing the evidence everywhere of what is actually true. I love that you are finding your way out of a limiting belief – then you can really shine – and I feel it already in your words.
Love and support to you…
Nessa says
Thanks so much Gail another generous post, and like Maggie , exactly at the right time for me.
I too have just spent this week exploring the idea that I am lovely and loveable, there is no need to pretend because that is what I am in this beautiful world that surrounds me. I do not have to hold the negative and pessimistic attitudes to life that my parents had – perhaps though fear and a sense of inadequacy… analysing that is not my problem.
Thank you so much Gail, today, like yesterday I feel alive and the world is full of loving possibilities.
Galen Pearl says
I so rarely think in term of my loveliness, so this post caught me off guard and revealed to me some resistance that surprised me! Something for me to think about today.
Gail Brenner says
Hi Galen,
It can be so hard sometimes to think of ourselves as lovely. But it’s the truth, and so wonderful to see that – and any resistance that might show up.
Love,
Gail
Nor Aziah says
Hi Gail,
Through experience, I have learned that to be in the present moment, you have to get yourself anchored to your soul. By focusing to my inner self, I feel the peace of the moment. It just works for me. When I’m lost in my mind, I tend to react negatively towards the person who have just treated me unpleasantly. But when I bring back my attention to my soul, just like you said, to be here and the now, the negative feelings gradually dissolves. It just made me thinking that God has made our soul so beautiful and lovely, why should I be just like that annoying person.
I guess, when we were born into this world we were lovely because we acted directly from our clean, pure soul. But as we grow older, our soul get cluttered with all sorts of negative elements – hatred, jealousy, ego and etc. Thus, by focusing my attention back to my soul, dismisses myself from those negative elements and simultaneously brings back my loveliness.
Gail Brenner says
So beautiful, Nor. Such a clear expression of returning to loveliness.
I love that you see a choice: you can be that annoying person, or you can live as the beautiful soul that you are. This is the choice we have in every moment.
Yes, we come back to innocence, purity, to the place that has never been touched by any disturbances.
Thanks so much for stopping by. Sending love…
Bonnie Perry says
Hi Gail – this evoked the experience of everything being like the beating of the single heart. 🙂
Gail Brenner says
Great to hear from you, Bonnie! I had been thinking of you…
Yes, the one heart…beautiful…
Rhonda says
I googled phoenix rising and came across your blog. It was very encouraging tto know what Phoenix Rising means.
Rhonda says
Well, Very encouraging to me. I am unemployed, and I don’t Like the feeling of being not in control. I have always worked and Im alot older now, the job market is scarce. I need to work to help support my family. On a very tight budget and Im trying to let it go. Take one day @ a time. Its hard.
Gail Brenner says
A warm welcome to you, Rhonda. Even with all of the stressful circumstances in your life, you are still lovely, whole, and free. Yes, finances can be scary, but maybe just for a moment you can let go of the worries and lack, and relearn the loveliness that you are.
All good things to you…
Cindy Aguilera says
Thank you so much Gail!!! This made me look up the prefix re- which means once more, afresh, anew. re-discovering the Absolute Truth, and that the bliss that accompanies each discovery is exactly the same as what we label unpleasant or queasy sensation. You`re wisdom has guided me into loving and caring for those ‘scary’ sensations. Making them feel loved and honored. I CAN do it!!
Gail Brenner says
Hi Cindy,
Great to look up “re” and see that it is about the continual rediscovery of what is always fresh and new. If we abandon all labels, there is no fear or unpleasantness possible – not even bliss! Just reality, pure and alive.
Not only can you do it, you can’t help but do it. Because this reality is who you are…
The Mistress Didi* says
What a great post! I am in a business where perceived ignorance casts slimy shadows on My lifestyle, so remembering My loveliness is a daily challenge.
One of the things that I do to remember My loveliness is to review My SUCCESSES which include My charity works; how many people I have helped with their own self-love and acceptance; and the accomplishments I’m proud of.
The trick is to allow a variety of things to be SUCCESSES – from little things like cleaning up around the house to big things like completing a course of study. In fact, today I allowed Myself to have a success of getting up the first time My alarm went off!
Here’s to your many SUCCESSES!