While driving, I heard a song that pierced through my usual mental chatter – words that normally fade into background noise as life’s thoughts compete with the radio. The lyrics struck me: “So go ahead and live like you’re loved. His love made you more than enough.”
What transforms in our lives when we truly believe we are loved?
To be loved means to be cherished – to be seen as special and treated with care. When we cherish someone, we naturally want to spend time with them, nurturing both the individual and the relationship.
Love creates a safe space for growth. When we value someone, we delight in their progress and encourage them to expand their horizons. Living like you are loved requires you to treasure and encourage yourself. Instead of seeking external validation, our inner dialogue becomes our cheerleader.
Consider how new parents celebrate each milestone their child reaches, documenting every step with joy. They respond to falls and mistakes with patience and loving guidance. Being loved doesn’t mean unlimited freedom – it can involve correction and even pain. When we know we are adored, we understand that the pain is temporary and can lead to a great and lasting outcome.
When we believe we are valued, we extend ourselves grace after mistakes.
Like a child who both cries at discipline yet clings to their parent, we can acknowledge pain while holding onto the certainty of love. Living like you’re loved means understanding that boundaries exist not to restrict, but to protect.
Self-love transcends simple indulgences like massages and meditation. It encompasses setting healthy boundaries in relationships. As the saying goes: We teach others how to treat us. Imagine the transformation possible if we understood that loving ourselves includes the power to say “No.”
Reflecting on that radio song – Living like we are loved means accepting that we were born enough and will always be enough. Our humanity precludes perfection, yet we entered this world fully equipped for abundant living.
As we enter 2020, it’s time to release self-defeating thoughts that whisper we’re insufficient.
These manifest as “I need more,” “If only I had more,” or the classic “One day I will ___.” Such thinking undermines our present worth, suggesting we’re not yet cherished, courageous, or capable.
To be clear: personal growth honors the greatness already within you. Self-improvement, too, is an expression of self-love.
The issue lies in constantly chasing “someday” while missing the fullness of today.
Living like you’re loved means embracing the present moment, recognizing your purpose spans both future and present. While awaiting your ship, take that dinghy and go chase your dreams.
The shore is not your station. You are loved, so live!
