Taking Our Own Advice

I have come to understand that our loved ones are some of our greatest teachers.  We live with them and interact with them daily.  We engage in deep love and commitment, working on relationships and growing alongside one another.  

What does all this mean for our own personal development?

Recently, I was speaking with my loved ones. I sat there lecturing about how important it is for them to be kind to themselves, celebrate their accomplishments, rejoice in the changes they have made and reflect on how far they have come. How all this was in direct opposition to being too hard on themselves for not being perfect, learning to enjoy the ride. 

After this conversation I started to think about who those words were actually for.  Were they words that I myself needed to hear? Was this conversation just a reflection of all the things that I wish that I was told as a child, as a teen, as an adult? Maybe we all need a reminder to love ourselves, to know how much we are loved, and that we are perfect just as we are now. Yes, yes and yes!

What if our own words could be used to heal ourselves. What if we turned the script, all the loving and kind words of support that we so easily give to our loved ones we now project onto ourselves.  What would that feel like? How far could those words, backed by pure love, take us along our journey?

If you find that this is the case for you, then tell yourself all those words that you need to hear.  All the loving words that you are ready to express to someone else, allow them to flow to you.

Try some, or all, of the following to get you started: 

·      Look at yourself in the mirror and tell yourself all the wonderful things that make you the exceptional individual that you are.

·      Journal or write yourself a love letter, describing your amazing accomplishments.

·      Give yourself a hug, or a pat on the back, for showing up each day and doing your best to be the greatest version of yourself that you can be.  

·      Create an affirmation that feels right for you, such as “I am worthy,” knowing in your heart that you truly are!

With Valentine’s Day on the horizon, we get a reminder to practice loving ourselves.  Don’t let this be a once-a-year endeavor, enjoy celebrating the brilliant and magnificent person that you are each and every day!