Do you know that you are loved?

I was reading my niece’s postings earlier today on a website called formspring. It’s a page that allows people to ask questions – any questions – and she answers. Someone had asked her if she knew how much she is loved. She answered yes, and how much she appreciates it.

Just this morning, I was thinking about how lucky I am to know that I am loved. Perhaps it was my upbringing that has instilled this feeling in me so strongly or perhaps it’s been my strong spirituality, or maybe both. In any case, I never have a doubt that I am loved. I don’t need to be perfect. I don’t need to do everything “right.” I don’t even have to be a “good girl,” to know that I am loved, that I am held dearly in someone’s heart. What a difference it makes.

Many years ago, I heard a song that made me realize that not everyone has this experience. This song was written by a woman named Libby Roderick in 1988. It’s called, How Could Anyone. Here are the lyrics:

How could anyone ever tell you
You were anything less than beautiful?
How could anyone ever tell you
You were less than whole?
How could anyone fail to notice
That your loving is a miracle?
How deeply you’re connected to my soul?

Isn’t that beautiful?

My wish for anyone who doesn’t know it is to realize that you ARE loved, that it’s the love that will get you through whatever seems challenging or hurtful in your life. Take a moment and feel it. If you can’t think of any “ONE” that loves you, love yourself. Love yourself as though you are a child reaching out to you for comfort. Hold yourself. Wrap your arms around yourself, and ask yourself…. How could anyone ever tell you that you are anything less than beautiful? Take it in. You deserve it. You ARE loved! Do you need some help in feeling it? Then watch this: