In 2016, during my first meditation course at the University of Cape Town, I was introduced to a way of living that changed me forever. It heightened my awareness of self and deepened my connection with the world around me. For the first time, I began to see the elements of life - earth, water, air and fire - not as distant forces, but as companions that mirror and sustain our own being.
The Reminder That Life Loves Us
Meditation taught me a profound truth: life loves us simply because we exist. We are not loved because of how well we perform, how much we please others, or how much we achieve. We are loved because we are here.
Every breath of air, every drop of water, every flame of warmth and every grounding step on the earth is evidence of this unconditional love. These elements are not rewards to earn, they are gifts freely given.
Living With Awareness
Honouring the elements of life in everyday moments can be simple, yet deeply transformative:
Earth - grounding yourself by walking barefoot or tending to nature.
Water - hydrating consciously and honouring its cleansing power.
Air - breathing deeply, with gratitude for the breath that sustains you.
Fire - lighting a candle or basking in the sun’s warmth as a reminder of inner light.
Each act is a ritual of remembrance - that life is already on your side.
How This Ties to Self-Worth
When we embrace the truth that life supports us without condition, we begin to release the pressure to prove our worth to others. Our value does not come from endless striving or from how others perceive us. It comes from our very existence.
This shift is deeply healing for me. It restores dignity where it was once questioned and reminds us that self-worth is not earned, but remembered. By honouring the elements around us, we also honour the element within us and the spark of life itself.
An Invitation to You
As you move through your day, I invite you to pause and notice: the breath filling your lungs, the water refreshing your body, the sun warming your skin, the ground holding you steady.
Let these be your reminders that life already loves you. That you are enough and that self-worth is not a destination, but a truth you can live from, here and now.