Loving myself

I was at a meeting the other day of 20 or so professionals talking about friendship.  The conversation was interesting at times, confusing at others.

At one point, someone asked "Who doesn't love themselves?".  My hand shot almost unconsciously, then I noticed that mine was the only hand up.

Apparently I was seated with 19 people who loved themselves.  Does that seem possible?  I suppose everyone has a different definition of love so maybe they do love themselves by their standards.  But from what I heard during the conversation there were plenty of people who had things they didn't like about themselves.

I think I'm a bit of a dreamer because if I loved myself I would fly around the world in a bubble like Glinda the Good Witch of the North.  I'm also not even quite sure that if I loved myself I would know it.  I just know when I don't.

Maybe someday I won't be so aware that I don't then I will....

Comments

[Jackie]

My perspective on this has changed a lot recently, when I decided that (for me) it was about being my own good parent and getting very real with myself about my own character strengths and weaknesses. Getting real about my good traits is as uncomfortable for me, if not more so, than coming to terms with my character defects.

Basically, I decided that no matter what, I will never hand over responsibility for my happiness and comfort to another human being. In which case, giving myself proper care and love is crucial. I can't think of "loving myself" in the hippy, self-help way, but this way makes perfect sense to me, for me.

[Tim Taylor]

That's beautiful Jackie, can't ask for much more than that in life.

[Mindy]

I tough love myself a LOT!

[Penelope Trunk]

I think they were lying.

[Sal]

Incredibly refreshing to know that I am in the best of company with this challenge!

The past couple of months have shown me numerous examples that I have been looking outside of myself for the Love and Acceptance I need to be giving myself. This places incredibly unfair expectations on others that will never be met. Just yesterday, I was guided from within to write this down: "The Love and Acceptance I feel for myself is more than I will ever need. Love and Acceptance from others is strictly a bonus." Intuitively I know that when I am really Loving and Accepting of myself, it’s sooooo much easier to Love and Accept others. And then here comes the bonus - without expecting, demanding and/or needing it, Love and Acceptance from others comes seemingly on its own. What you put out really does come back to you in spades (Law of Attraction).

I really resonate with what Jackie wrote. It is a HUGE must to give ourselves proper care and love. Any other source is not going to cut it. Long lasting Fulfillment, Joy, Peace, Harmony, Abundance, Love and Ecstasy are impossible without Self Love/Self Acceptance.

There is a technique/exercise I've been aware of for quite some time that I have only recently (finally!) begun practicing as a part of giving myself proper care and love. It's extremely powerful and proven. It involves taking time each day (I'm doing this in the morning before work and at night before going to bed) to behold your reflection in the mirror and state out loud three things you love about yourself based on actual actions you performed recently. Some examples include "I am responsible as I am going to work to pay my bills"; "I am compassionate and kind as I listened with presence to a friend in need”. Feel free to say anything from the heart to your reflection that speaks to a positive quality about yourself. I find myself being creative with this and have incorporated statements such as “I am Peace, I am Joy, I am Love, I am Harmony, and I am Abundance.” Within the first few days I found myself really smiling back. Numerous testimonials I’ve read state that one incredible benefit from this practice is the complete ceasing of negative self-talk. Zero Tolerance, Baby! These things I am saying to myself are Universal Truths for All of us. It’s high time to STOP thinking crappy things about ourselves and replace that bullshit with Truth! We are infinite Beings of Energy. We have always been and always shall be. On the other side of the veil, it is impossible for us to feel anything fear based about ourselves and All that Is. It’s time to remember these truths for ourselves. I for one am choosing to not wait until my physical body dies and my Spirit returns Home to remember this again. Let’s do it Now!

Tim, I find it extremely courageous and loving of you to share all that you have with us. Thank You, Brother!

I Love You, Man!!!! =D