It may sound contradictory, but practicing self-love, rather than waiting for someone else to show you love, is one of the best gifts you can give to the world.
Loving yourself and all of your qualities, without judging them as being good or bad, is also recognizing that you have the ability to deeply love others.
Seeing the beauty in ourselves is the first step in recognizing it in others. Without self-love we devalue our lives.
It's our ability to appreciate ourselves that allows us to value others. Think about the last time a beautiful piece of art, or a well crafted film excited you. It was your mind, your beautiful life that allowed you to recognize the grace, talent, and skill that went into the creation of the work you admired. Without the beauty of the observer, the observed cannot see its own reflection.
When life becomes hectic or worrisome, it can be easy to look away from your beauty within, projecting self-doubt rather than radiating self love.
Here are three practical tips for giving yourself a big dose of self-love every day.
- 1. Give yourself a big hug. Every morning or evening, wrap your arms around yourself. Softly say your name out loud. Give yourself great appreciation for being you. It may feel silly at first, but no one is better suited to the job of going out into the world with your loving intentions than you!
- 2. Give yourself permission! Go ahead, greet your image in the mirror with a smile, a wink, or even a sexy pout. Look at yourself every day and say, "Hello! I'm so happy to see you. You look great!" Over time, your brain will accept these thoughts as valid and healing.
- 3. Send love notes to yourself. Write down your loving thoughts, whether they are about yourself or others, and post them where you can see them throughout your day. Put them on your mirror, desk, car dashboard, in your wallet. Soon, your inner dialogue will be filled with positive words.
- 4. Affirm your Lovability. Do a brief meditation. Find one minute in your day to stop what you're doing. Close your eyes and take three deep breaths. Then, while smiling, say: "I love and honor myself. I love who I am and who I am becoming. I appreciate every step I took and every lesson I learned to be the person I am today. I lovingly accept those times I stumbled on my path, failed at my lessons or judged myself harshly. From today, I will smile upon the present moment and trust in the flow of life. From this moment forward I will seek the beauty and the value in every moment and every human life, including my own."