The Healing Power of Self Love & Acceptance
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Dear Friend,
Here we are again, coming into the month of love, including Valentine's day. This month is often viewed as a celebration of love itself, with a particular nod to romantic love.
This month doesn't need to be limited to a celebration of romantic love, however, but should be expanded to include love of self as well.
I always like to take this opportunity each year to encourage self love and self acceptance, which are incredibly healing practices that we can all embrace and benefit from.
All too often, we condition our feelings of self love and self worth on the opinions of others. It is unfortunately very common for us to be swayed by the way other people view or treat us. In other words we are outer directed in our feelings about ourselves, instead of being inner directed. This places our self esteem and self love outside of our control. This doesn't need to be the case!
Self love and acceptance are available to us all. It doesn't (usually) happen spontaneously. It must be cultivated and practiced in order to become our established state of being.
I encourage you to read the entire
article, but I will highlight a couple of key points here. In her
article, she quotes Jeffrey Sumber, MA, “If I set my intention that a life with self-acceptance is far better than a life of self-hatred then I begin a chain reaction within my being geared to a life of peace." It all begins with an intention to come from a place of self love and acceptance, even as we endeavor to improve or make changes in our selves.
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Coming from a place of self hatred or criticism leads to a state of war within us. Working to make changes or improvements because we love and accept ourselves, and want the best for ourselves, cultivates a state of harmony within. Not only will our efforts be more successful, the process will also be more peaceful and health promoting.
Joyce Marter, LCPC, a psychotherapist and owner of Urban Balance, LLC contributes to this article with a number of suggestions including to "Shush Your Inner Critic." “I believe in the power of mantra and encourage clients to select a mantra that is normalizing, calming and encouraging during times when the inner critic rears its ugly head,” she said. For example, you could use: “I am only human, I am doing the best that I can and that is all I can do,” she said.
As Marter said, “Our mistakes and our imperfections are not bad or wrong or failures–they are the fingerprints of humanity and opportunities for learning, healing and growth.”
In this month where we celebrate the power of love, let's extend this love to ourselves. It is an act of healing to bathe ourselves in self love and acceptance.
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I hope for you that you will treat yourself with the loving kindness and self acceptance you so richly deserve! It is well worth the time and effort to invest in a healthy and loving relationship with yourself.
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Paul Epstein, ND
Mindful Healing: Mind-Body Integrative Medicine
(203) 226-3923
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Make sure and check my
event calendar
regularly for details on all my upcoming classes, lectures, workshops and Webinars.
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Patient Appointments Available via Skype
In addition to my local, private practice in Westport, CT, I also see patients from all over the world via Skype. Distance and time zone differences don't need to be a barrier to getting the help you need to facilitate your healing journey!
Take the first step towards your optimum health and healing: Call today to set up a Skype appointment!
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Mentoring Sessions Available via Skype
An important part of my work is to mentor health care practitioners, students and physicians to become more fully Integrative in their approach to caring for their patients and clients.
Skype is a wonderful way to hold these sessions - convenient and easy!
If you are interested in learning life changing Mind-Body Therapies to add to your practice, call today to discuss a mentoring session, or mentoring program!
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Serenity is not freedom from the storm,
but peace amidst the storm...
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Paul Epstein, ND is a graduate of the National College of Natural Medicine (NCNM), specializing in Mindful Healing and Mind-Body Integrative Medicine. He has more than 30 years experience in private practice successfully treating patients with powerful, life changing therapies.
Dr. Epstein is currently accepting new patients into his practice. He also works with healing professionals as a Professional Mentor to teach practitioners how to work in a truly integrative fashion in their own practice.
He is a pioneer and leading voice in Mind-Body Integrative Medicine lecturing internationally to both general and professional audiences.
Dr. Epstein is an extraordinary teacher who presents compelling topics that inform, educate, motivate and inspire. His work is helping create a much needed paradigm shift in the practice of medicine and the healing arts.
Don't ever miss the opportunity to experience Dr. Epstein!
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42 Richmondville Ave
Westport, CT 06880
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Connecting the Cell and the Self
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