Episode 51: Understanding the Commandment to Love Ourselves Featuring Brennen Eisenhut
I'm sure I’m not the first person to raise an eyebrow when Elder S Gifford Nielsen suggested loving ourselves is the "implied" 3rd great commandment.
Why is this principle of loving ourselves so important right now? I mean, this is the age of selfies and "me" time. Do we really need to love ourselves more? Aren't we supposed to forget ourselves and go to work serving and loving others?
What about the claim that if we don't love ourselves, then we cannot truly love God?
”Our Heavenly Father wants us to love ourselves -- not to become prideful or self-centered, but to see ourselves as He sees us--we are His cherished children. When this truth sinks deep into our hearts, our love for God grows.” —S. Gifford Nielsen
This week my special guest is Brennen Eisenhut. Brennen works in the field of performance psychology, which is something I always associated with professional sports, but the principles apply in almost all areas of life. Brennen coaches individuals, groups, and company employees to help them learn, achieve, and grow in almost any aspect of their lives.
In This Episode
Brennen discusses the importance of loving ourselves and practicing self-compassion. Such an important concept! He also discusses the inevitable challenge of achieving that perfect balance between self-compassion and self-indulgence.
Brennen also shares his thoughts on something so many of us have experienced--The "shame trap," and how we can get ourselves "unstuck" when we fall into a pattern of shame, as opposed to experiencing godly guilt that brings us closer to the Lord.
Finally, Brennen will leave us with three pieces of advice to help us become better at practicing self-compassion. We can all use a little more of that, can't we!
Do ONE Thing
This week, the Do ONE Thing invitation is to practice one of Brennen's tips on becoming better at practicing self-compassion:
1. View mistakes like both a scientist and a loving mother.
2. The "Friend or Family Member" exercise
3. Focusing forward
Click here to listen to this episode on your favorite listening platform.
Resources
"This is Our Time" -- S. Gifford Nielsen, April 2021
"God Among Us" -- Dieter F. Uchtdorf, April 2021
Follow Brennen on Instagram: @Brennen_Eisenhut
Follow me on Instagram: @melinda.r.morgan