Butterfly Love 2

This is one person’s experience; everyone will have unique experiences on their own path to recovery and beyond. Some stories may mention eating disorder thoughts, behaviors, or symptom use. Please use your own discretion. And speak with your therapist when needed.

By Alexandra Miles, a former The Emily Program client in recovery

Self-acceptance and Self-nurturance   

Transcendence from fear to unconditional love is the path of awakening. When we see with the heart, spread our wings, and learn to fly we become beings of radiant light.

The month of December is the month of snowflakes, giving, receiving, and playing. It is the month of unconditional love, light, and joy. When we tap into our hearts and love ourselves unconditionally we can spread love and light to our community during a month of dark nights and short days. This month is a month to ignite the light within and shine it onto ourselves and others.

The month of December is a wonderful month to practice Butterfly Love for oneself. December is filled with holiday gatherings, family events, and work pressures. Often people feel overwhelmed, resentful, and anxious. Often the pressures of pleasing family members and meeting others’ expectations pile on our shoulders. The month of December is a month to practice boundaries, so you can experience Butterfly Love. When one has clear boundaries they are able to radiate Butterfly Love within and without. This is the month to radiate unconditional love and it begins with setting clear boundaries. Taking enough time for yourself is truly loving because we can’t truly give if we don’t truly receive nourishment for ourselves. Relaxing is one form of self-nourishment.

We only have so much time and energy in this human body, and how we spend time and energy is important. When we take enough time to replenish ourselves, then we have enough to give. When we completely fill our glass, then it can overflow onto others. What truly fills you up? What truly nourishes you? What do you love to do? How can you place gentle, clear boundaries around the things that fill you up, nourish you, and the things you love?

Tips and Advice:

• Take naps to restore your body during the cold days
• Spend time rejuvenating through yin/restorative Yoga
• Chose the events this month that are the dearest to your heart and say “no” with grace to the others
• Take time off of work
• Spend time outside in the magic of the white snow
• Embrace the cold and allow nature to ignite the light within your heart
• Write 5 things you cherish about yourself daily
• Allow yourself to be YOU 100% without judgment
• Open your heart every morning by running to the mirror and telling yourself, “I love you unconditionally.”
• Find compassion for your body this month
• Look past right and wrong this month and look within your heart 

Read Alexandra’s Butterfly Love blog post here.

Alexandra is a survivor of anorexia, asthma, severe anxiety, and chronic pneumonia. Through her own personal healing journey, she dedicated her life to living in alignment with her heart. Today she smiles often, rides her horse, paints, writes, teaches Yoga, and has her own healing practice. She is in the process of publishing her book The Beauty of Wings, a personal healing memoir. Learn more here.