There are times when I wake up in the morning and have a hard time getting the day started. Then I realize that it's because I wasn't liking myself very much. There have been many times I've said "I just don't like myself. When will I start liking myself?"
The answer is: starting now, I can learn to be gentle, loving, and nurturing with myself. Of all of life's behaviors I'm striving to attain, loving myself may be the most difficult, and the most important. If I am habitually harsh and critical toward myself, learning to be gentle with myself may require dedicated effort.
But what a valuable venture.
By not liking myself, I may be perpetuating the discounting, neglect, or abuse I received in life from some of the important people in my life. I didn't like what happened then, but find myself copying those who mistreated me by treating myself poorly.
I can stop the pattern. I can begin giving myself the loving, respectful treatment I deserve.
Instead of criticizing myself, I can tell myself I performed well enough.
I can wake up in the morning and tell myself, "I deserve a good day."
I can make a commitment to take good care of myself throughout the day.
I can recognize that I'm deserving of love.
I can do loving things for myself.
I can love other people and let them love me.
When I truly love myself, I do not become destructively self centered. I do not abuse others. I do not stop growing and changing. When I learn to love myself well, I learn to love others well to. I continually grow into a healthier person, learning that my love is appropriately placed.
Today, I will love myself. If I get caught in old patterns of not liking myself, I will find a way to get out.
No comments:
Post a Comment