Simple Tools for Authentic Living
 
Love is the kind, empowering energy that heals and soothes us, makes us function with balance and wholeness. Love brings all of us together. It is the one thing that we all need, long for, and seek - the one thing that transforms all of us. Love has the power to make us feel stronger and more vulnerable at the same time. It makes us leap and fly. True love is unconditional and mindful, passionate and compassionate. It is sweet and sensitive and powerful. Love liberates us, helps us discover something deep and gentle within us. 

Being unloved or feeling unloved is frightening. It can make us feel angry, hurt, and lost. It can make us do horrible things and break us apart. Wanting to be loved by others, we often look outside ourselves for acceptance and adoration-as though we are seeking an imaginary parent's unconditional love. But finding that kind of love in others is rare. We need to look for it first within our Self. If we don't first seek love within, feel worthy, or safe enough to be loved, we will continue to push true love away-and attract false love.

Only by finding and embracing the love within our Self can we ever feel a sense of wholeness. By creating infinite love within our Self we no longer need love from an outside source. When we love our Self unconditionally, we develop a better sense of balance, and a better perspective of what true love really is. We feel completely filled with love: safe, empowered, and whole.
Fill your Self each day with adoration, compassion, and support-for your Self. Love yourself completely and unconditionally by accepting your Self, believing in your Self, and empowering your Self each moment. You were created in love, from love. Love is imprinted on every part of you, in every cell. Take lots of deep breaths and tune in with the gentle and all consuming love dwelling within you. You are Love.

Exercises
1. Begin by loving your Self first and foremost. Ask your Self "How actions can I take to love and accept my Self better today?"
2. Fill every cell in your Self with love. Feel it filling you, empowering you, transforming you.
3. Take responsibility for the love in your daily life. Fill your Self with nurturing and kindness. Surround your Self with people that truly love you.
4. Be mindful and practice unconditional love with everyone you meet. Be true and real yet loving. See that all of us seek love and acceptance.

Mantra
"I am Love."

Affirmation
"I Adore my Self."
"I Believe in my Self and Accept who I am."
"I Love every part of my Self."
 
Visualization
Visualize your day being filled with love and gentleness. You are filled, shining, vibrating with unconditional love, first for your Self and then for everyone else you encounter. You are filled with warm and all-encompassing energy, emanating from a Source that is unlimited and infinite. No matter what happens each moment in your life, you are loved and incredible. See your Self having incredible success in every part of your life, creating your dreamz within your life and within your Self. You feel empowered and whole. You don't need an outside Source for love, but you are a magnet for love everywhere you go. Everyone you meet loves you and adores you. You are love, each moment: inside, outside, everywhere.
 
Meditation
Close your eyes. Take deep breaths. Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Come to rest within your heart. Tune in with a warm and gentle energy moving deep within your heart. Feel how every part of you is made of this kind and unconditional love. You are perfect as you are. You are safe and loved, wholly and completely. Let this love into your heart, mind, and soul. Feel your Self literally being transformed and centered by this love, here and now. You are love. Feel your Self embodying love each moment, each breath.
 
Interfaith Prayer
Infinite Source... I surrender my fears about love to you... I am going to let you love me... I let my Self love my Self... Unconditionally and peacefully... I see that I have to love my Self first and foremost... And let you open my heart... Help me see that I am worthy of love... Worthy of loving... And being loved... Help me learn to receive and give love... Without malice or anger... Love that is pure and kind... Compassionate... And gentle... Help me feel this infinite love... Overflowing within my Self... And in you... I am letting you love me... Adore me... And hold me... Each moment... Ever and Always... Blissed Be...    

Message from Source
"I love you, adore you, and hold you in my arms each moment."

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Ingrid Elfver is a modern-day muse and catalyst for change. When asked what a muse is, Ingrid says: “A muse is a catalyst for change, whispering into your heart, mind, soul, and spirit -- gentle reminders of the magic and incredibleness of life. A muse helps you recognize your unique gifts and talents; find and fulfill your life purpose; be more conscious, present, and whole; forget your fears and limitations; and live the Inspired Life that you know you were born to live.”

As founder and CEO of Simply Authentic™ Ingrid is helping individuals and organizations fulfill their greatest potential. Originally from Sweden, Ingrid’s work is based on 18 years of life-transforming change with thousands of clients from all walks of life. You can learn more about the Simply Authentic™ philosophy, books and other products, events, weekly column, radio shows, and muse sessions at www.SimplyAuthentic.com.