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Learning to Love Yourself
Name three things you like about yourself. Now, name three more. And then, three more again. Add one more to make a list of ten things you like about yourself. Did you find that easy to do? Do you like yourself? If not, why not? What lies have you accepted as truth? You are unique. There is no other you in the entire world. Even if you are a twin or a triplet, you are still unique. Your twin or triplet is somewhat like you, but not exactly. Do you know what makes a piece of art so valuable? It is because it is unique. There is no other one like it. Just like you. You are valuable and unique because there is no other you in the entire world. The world needs you. What if there was no Henry Ford? There wouldn’t be any cars. What if there was no Galileo, we might still believe that the earth was the center of the universe. What if there was no Margaret Sanger? There would be no Planned Parenthood Organization today.
I don’t even know you, yet I could easily find 10 things I would like about you. Now make a list of ten things you don’t like about you. Did you find that easier? How sad. Take a look at the items on the list of things that you don’t like about you. How many of them have to do with appearances? You are not your hair or the color of your skin, or your dress size. You are your smile, your warmth, your intelligence. You are your laughter, your curiosity, your generosity, your ideas, your opinions, your values. You have gifts to offer the world that you don’t even know about. They are still hidden, waiting for you to uncover them. They are waiting for you to discover them and then celebrate them. But if you spend your time and energy on the list of things you don’t like about yourself, your true value will remain hidden.
You are magnificent. That’s right … YOU!! I know that you might not believe that. But that is the truth of who you are. And you have the obligation to be the loving, creative, delightful, smart, expressive, vibrant person that you really are. Still don’t believe that you are a magnificent, incredible being. Then prove that you are not. What lies will you tell yourself to justify your proof? That’s right, lies, because anything less than believing that you really are a magnificent, incredible being is a lie. So, start by accepting yourself just as you are right in this moment. Then, each morning, pick something about yourself that you will choose to feel proud of just for that day. Even if it is something that is on the list of things you don’t like about yourself. That’s ok. Just for one day, decide to be proud of it regardless.. You can always change your mind tomorrow and put it back on your “do not like” list.
You see, you are what you believe about yourself. If you believe you are stupid, or, if you believe you are smart, you are right. You get to choose what you want to believe about yourself. So why not choose believing in the things that make you feel good instead of believing in the lies that make you feel bad. When you change your mind of what you believe about yourself, subtle changes occur on many different levels. You hold yourself different. You walk a bit more energetic, your shoulders are back, and your head is held high. You become more alert and aware of your surroundings. You feel more self confident. You begin to trust yourself and believe in yourself. You begin to believe that you matter, that you count, that you are important and who you are has value. When you start believing these things, others will start treating you better. If you like you, so will other people like you. So, go ahead and believe that you really are a magnificent incredible person. And one day, in the not too distance future; you will discover that it is true.