I think we all have those moments when we wish we were different or more than we are. We are so focused on what we are lacking externally that we forget who we are internally; forget what our souls are made of. I have been feeling a bit like that lately and while I did a little work today to repair that, I remembered this post from about a year ago.
Recipe for Self-love
Take full responsibility for your life. Stop blaming others
See yourself as the cause of what happens to you
Do things you like to do
Don’t stay in a job you don’t like
Participate in life at the highest level you can
Stop terrorizing yourself with your thoughts
Be gentle and kind and patient with yourself
Give yourself the simple pleasures of life abundantly
Wear clothes you feel good in
Get a massage
Watch what you say
Avoid self put-downs
Stop being critical of yourself and others
Take care of your body. Give it exercise and good food
Be willing to create a life-style that generates and nourishes self-esteem
Associate with others with high esteem
Acknowledge yourself frequently
Keep a diary of your successes and accomplishments
Avoid comparing yourself with others
Remember that it’s who we are, not what we do, that’s important
Give yourself permission to do nothing periodically
Schedule time by yourself
Frequently take deep breaths. Discover the benefit and pleasure of breathing fully
Eat first class frequently. Don’t look at the right side of the menu
Stop trying to change others. Focus your attention on being the way you want others to be
Look into a mirror regularly and say “I love you, I really love you”
Stop feeling guilty and saying “I’m sorry”
See mistakes as valuable lessons and avoid judging yourself
Consciously generate positive thoughts and feelings of self-love in place of old thoughts of inadequacy
Be willing to laugh at yourself and at life. Stop taking yourself so seriously
Accept compliments from others without embarrassment. Don’t invalidate their positive thoughts and feelings about you
Be kind to your mind
Don’t hate yourself for having negative thoughts. Gently change your thoughts
Keep your awareness and your thoughts focused in present time instead of living in the past or future
Acknowledge others frequently
Tell them what you like and appreciate in them
Invest money in yourself. Go to seminars, workshops and courses that develop your talents
Make a list of 10 things you love doing and do them frequently
Treat yourself as you would treat someone you really loved
Praise yourself
~Author Unknown
April 9, 2008 at 1:41 am
It is always good to remind ourselves of those little things that we tend to ignore thinking that it is the external things that ultimately make us happy. Thanks for the reminder.