How Much Do You Like Yourself?

By Lori Chance

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It’s probably a sure bet that you’ve heard this saying before, “Love thy neighbor as thyself,” or how about the one that says, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

I don’t think that’s a good idea. Many people acknowledge that they treat others well, and hope that they will return the favor, but how do they treat themselves? I’m not sure I would want to be treated the way that others treat themselves, it’s rather harsh at times.

I’ve had a hard time liking myself, we all have. If you spend some time thinking about it and putting positive thoughts and energy into it, you can change that. There is no way that it’s going to happen overnight, that would be a fool fooling himself. It’s going to take time and that’s alright. The time you spend working on this will most likely not be the amount of time it takes your friend to work on themselves. Each of us is an individual person and handle growth in different ways.

Knowing who you are is something that will give you a tool that will help you to love yourself. Stop focusing on the negative aspects your life and who you think you are. You will no longer say, “I’m a fat person, who can’t cook, ruins all things.....STOP!!!

This is what you should do

Say to yourself, “I am a loving provider. I am a philanthropist. I am a spiritual/religious person. I am a funny person. I am a bowling prodogy. I am a person who loves knowledge.”

When you experience the barrage of negative thoughts that come your way, and they will I promise, immediately stop them with your positive thoughts. I’ve been known to put some very bright sticky notes all over the house and car (I really should buy stock in them!) with my positive thoughts on them. I had one in the bathroom that said, “I am a beautiful, wonderful, intelligent person.” Don’t assume that I am a stuck up person, I’m not. I made the effort to ask some of my closest friends to describe me in one word. This word had to be a positive thing that they thought about me.

Others tend to see you with different colored glasses. Getting their opinion helps to demystify your negative thoughts and focus on the good things that you ARE.

Next Try Doing This

Treat yourself. Take yourself on a date, it’s okay to go out to eat or the movies on your own. You deserve the gift that you are giving yourself. Take a walk along the beach listening to the waves and watching the night sky. Run yourself a hot bubble bath complete with candles and your favorite music. A pedicure and manicure isn’t out of the question either.

You deserve some time out for you. You need this time to help you feel the positive reinforcements that you have been working on. Allowing yourself to have a treat will help you realize the importance of you, and taking care of yourself.

Imagine a cup that is full of water. You give of yourself to others, one teaspoon at a time, but nothing refills the cup. It doesn’t take very long until you realize your cup is empty. One way to help you keep that cup full is by taking care of yourself; loving yourself. You have to realize you are worth it. It would be good if your cup were filled by the ones you gave to. In most cases a, “Thank you,” or a “You are just too sweet,” makes a world of difference and enables your cup to run over. What a good problem to have.

Like, love and take care of yourself, you are worth it. Enjoy a lifetime of happiness and joy.