I’m reluctant to use the term genius, but it’s the word David Hawkins used in this quote:
“Until one acknowledges the intrinsic genius within oneself, one will have great difficulty recognizing it in others—we can only acknowledge without what we realize within.”
One of the reasons I balk at using the word genius is that the vast majority of us can’t imagine ourselves in that light. It such an elevated word that it seems unattainable. Indeed, one of the things I’ve come to realize is that I’m only a conduit for the ideas that come to me from the universe. While others have, at times, credited me with being brilliant, the reality is that it’s not me. The brilliance, the genius, resides in the universe, not me.
Valid concept
While I argue semantics with Dr. Hawkins, I completely agree with the premise of his statement. We cannot see the good in others, the value of their insights and experience, the genuine care and concern they exhibit until we see them within ourselves.
In biblical terms, this is the equivalent of love your neighbor as yourself. Indeed, this is what happens automatically in our daily lives. Those who acknowledge their weaknesses as well as their strengths, yet are content with who they are will naturally love others as unconditionally.
Conversely, those who dismiss their strengths as being common to all, who beat themselves up over their perceived inadequacies, cannot consistently show love for others. They find it difficult to show love they don’t feel.
So what does this mean for you?
For you
If you’re a person who is content with who you are while continuously striving to become even better in whatever respect you desire, then keep doing what you’re doing…and thank you for making the world a better place.
For those of you who are struggling to love yourself, begin by acknowledging compliments with a simple “Thank you.” Don’t comment or elaborate on that response because you’ll inevitably discount the compliment and diminish the joy the other person experiences from offering the compliment.
I’ve known people who regularly get compliments from others, who have others saying how sweet they are, how much they enjoy that person’s company, how caring and generous that person is, yet find it difficult to love themselves as others love them.
Don’t be one of these people. Realize that the reason others are saying these nice things about you is because you made them feel good about themselves. The reason they’re saying these things is that they want you to feel as good about yourself as they do about you.
Realize that the reason others are saying wonderful things about you is that you’ve shown them love, love that you’re not showing yourself. Even people who don’t love themselves very much, do, at times, show love for others. Unfortunately, they don’t allow others to reciprocate. Instead, they discount the other person’s love by denigrating the kindness they showed.
Accept the love you’re given and allow yourself to embrace the love. You’ll find that it gets easier and easier to love yourself.
For our kids
You can help your kids love themselves by helping them realize that no one comes with the complete package. Help them understand that the reason we’re here is to fill in the gaps in one another’s backgrounds.
Once kids realize that everyone is inadequate in some regard, it becomes easier for them to acknowledge both their strengths and weaknesses. It opens them up to appreciating others’ strengths and more tolerant of others’ inadequacies. In other words, they become more loving.
They become content with who they are and learn to love themselves in the process. As their love of self grows so does their desire to love others. That’s when life becomes consistently joyful, that’s when they become a beacon on the path to love and joy.
I love hearing your thoughts and experiences, please share your thoughts below.
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