Love comes in many forms including self-love. Yet many people forget they are worth loving.
I have found that the relationship many of us have with ourselves is the most tumultuous of all. From calling ourselves degrading names, to believing we are broken, to declaring we are not enough, to physically harming our bodies, there is a complete void of love. Very few people have ever, or could ever, regard us with as much contempt as some of us regard ourselves.
We can find the strength to walk away from someone who puts us down or treats us badly, but we cannot walk away from ourselves. Wherever we go and whatever we do, we are always taking our own selves with us. What we can be sure of is that we are never absent of our own thoughts.
Loving yourself is a very powerful action that requires positive affirmation not self-affliction.
One way to turn the tide is to say loving things to yourself, even if you don’t mean it at first. Phrases such as, “I love and accept myself,” or “I am a beautiful person.” The more we speak kindly to ourselves the better it feels. The better it feels the more freely we experience the love.
May your love for yourself shine bright. You are worth it.
(originally published November 28, 2016)
