Love Letters

Dear One,

This morning I received a letter in the mail. I could feel a tingling sensation in my body as I pulled it from the sea of junk mail. Wow, a letter, for me? How special. Handmade paper. A recognizable wax seal. Does anyone ever get letters anymore? I turned it over and saw the familiar handwriting. I opened the letter. “My dearest Susan,” the love letter began, and words spilled out from the unfolding page into my softening eyes–words of adoration and heartfelt concerns that challenged me to see myself fully, to be responsive within this reflection in our relationship to each other. I read, weeping, acknowledging, considering what this loved one expressed. And then, I sighed. It was signed, in my own handwriting, “Love, Your inner guide”.

This was one activity I facilitated for the women at my recent Courting Your Inner Partner Retreat. It can be a very powerful tool to hear your voice and your inner witness more clearly, and to hold yourself compassionately and responsively.

How often do you listen to your inner guide, your inner lover, your inner witness? Taking time to really feel into this voice can be an amazingly telling experience. Give it a try! Here is some guidance to start a love letter to yourself:

• Start with special store-bought or homemade stationary and a nice pen. Open with an expression of love and adoration, and then state your intention for the letter. This can almost be like a State of the Union you write to yourself, so make sure you have enough paper!
• Express any concerns you might have about yourself. Remind yourself of your path, your dreams, your passions.
• Challenge yourself in the letter around a few areas of concern or support, without laying blame, and let yourself know how you’re there for YOU.
• End with a simple closing statement of your commitment to yourself, and sign it however you feel moved to call yourself (ie, Your Lover)
• Wait until the right time to mail it to yourself. It could be a few days or a few weeks. When you open it, make sure you give ample space and time to read and reflect.

And, I’d love to hear your reflections on this exercise!

Yours, Susan