One of my all-time favorite affirmations is, “I am so happy and grateful that I love and accept myself exactly as I am.”
Sounds easy enough, right? The meaning of this simple statement took me the very longest to understand. I heard the words, and I understood them to be important. I even felt the truth of them being the MOST important. Yet, for the longest time, I honestly did not know what it meant to love and accept myself. Early on my spiritual path, I remember using Louise Hay’s technique of saying affirmations in front of the mirror, repeating “I love myself” incessantly, and crying because it felt so weird… I didn’t like it. Not one bit. I felt as uncomfortable as I possibly could. I felt like an imposter.
She and many other teachers, guides, and gurus always say you cannot love and accept others until you love and accept yourself. So, what’s the secret? Well, to me, it is doing the things for myself, from my inner place of knowing, are for my highest and best good. It’s making decisions with compassion AND discipline that will serve me in all ways. It typically begins with a physical action and, with time, transforms into an overall attitude.
The easiest way is to pick just one thing to begin with… maybe something you frequently hear yourself saying you want or “SHOULD” do. (But, like my best-loved teacher always said, “Don’t SHOULD all over yourself!” lol) It could pertain to a physical activity, eating (or not eating) particular foods, adding a daily ritual to your life, or anything that frequently attracts your attention. Be on the lookout for ways to integrate this new habit into your life that feel fun and easy. You heard that right, fun and easy.
We begin to see new opportunities to do this “thing,” and, eventually, we make it our own. When we do it consistently with intention, the more we see beautiful openings to choose this as an option for ourselves. And an amazing thing happens! It teaches us how to love ourselves more and more. The best part is that when we get into this flow of making decisions out of love and acceptance for ourselves, life loves us back. Magical synchronicities become the standard.
Are you looking for ways to add more SELF-LOVE to your life? Join us LIVE on Facebook, in the Wildwood Circle group, on Valentine’s Day, Monday, February 14th, 5:30 PM EST, for an inspiring conversation about Three Self-Love Practices that will significantly enhance your health and happiness! SELF-LOVE is a habit like anything. But you don’t have to do it alone! Join our enchanting group of women to receive loving support and regular encouragement! See you there!
xoxCollin
