Too much to do?
Too many people to care for?
Too many bills to pay?
Too much good TV to watch or parties to attend or?
What is your excuse for not taking impeccable care of you?
The world is filled with distractions, detours and distress?
Who is taking care of you?
Who is making sure you relax and enjoy your life?
I am not talking about drinking beer and partying.
I am not talking elaborate vacations or spa.
I am not referring to buying expensive toys or gifts.
I am not suggesting you go to spas to be pampered.
You can do all these things and they are temporary fixes.
We have and infinite number of choices for pleasuring our bodies and minds.
We can choose what others do or we can be selective.
We can neglect ourselves or spoil ourselves.
The question is do you know how to relax and enjoy life?
Do you feel grateful and happy when you wake up in the morning?
Do you bless the life you have and how you live?
Do you eat the food that you really like and savor every bite?
Do you allow the water you drink to be a blessing and a gift to you?
Are you willing to be responsible for your own happiness and well-being?
Are you considerate, kind and caring with your thoughts, words and behavior toward yourself?
Do you take the time to affirm yourself with Love and appreciation for who you really are?
Do you step away from negativity and criticism, taking nothing personally, except what benefits you?
What can you do to take better care of you?
How can you take, even 5 minutes a day, to really feel the Love for yourself?
Are you willing to fully appreciate everything you have created in your life?
What about taking a walk or sitting in your own yard and really enjoying it all.
Some possibilities:
Prepare your favorite meal and eat it slowly with no distraction.
Lie in bed and breathe fully for 5 minutes.
Surround yourself with colors and sounds you enjoy.
Say affirming words aloud to yourself every morning as you shower.
Take a moment to appreciate and give thanks to yourself for every accomplishment.
Stop blaming, cursing or rushing yourself.
Love yourself well today and you will be loving all of us everywhere,
Betty Lue
From Louise Hay ©1988
How To Love Yourself
1. STOP ALL CRITICISM
Criticism never changes a thing. Refuse to criticize yourself. Accept yourself exactly as you are. Everybody changes. When you criticize yourself, your changes are negative. When you approve of yourself, your changes are positive.
2. DON’T SCARE YOURSELF
Stop terrorizing yourself with your thoughts. It’s a dreadful way to live. Find a mental image that gives you pleasure (mine is yellow roses), and immediately switch your scary thought to a pleasure thought.
3. BE GENTLE AND KIND AND PATIENT
Be gentle with yourself. Be kind to yourself. Be patient with yourself as you learn the new ways of thinking. Treat yourself as you would someone you really loved.
4. PRAISE YOURSELF
Criticism breaks down the inner spirit. Praise builds it up. Praise yourself as much as you can. Tell yourself how well you are doing with every little thing.
5. BE KIND TO YOUR MIND
Self hatred is only hating your own thoughts. Don’t hate yourself for having the thoughts. Gently change your thoughts.
6. SUPPORT YOURSELF
Find ways to support yourself. Reach out to friends and allow them to help you. It is being strong to ask for help when you need it.
7. BE LOVING TO YOUR NEGATIVES
Acknowledge that you created them to fulfill a need. Now you are finding new, positive ways to fulfill those needs. So, lovingly release the old negative patterns.
8. TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY
Learn about nutrition. What kind of fuel does your body need to have optimum energy and vitality? Learn about exercise. What kind of exercise can you enjoy? Cherish and revere the temple you live in.
9. MIRROR WORK
Look into your eyes often. Express this growing sense of love you have for yourself. Forgive yourself looking into the mirror. Talk to your parents looking into the mirror. Forgive them too. At least once a day say: “I love you, I really love you!”
10. LOVE YOURSELF...DO IT NOW
Don’t wait until you get well, or lose the weight, or get the new job, or the new relationship. Begin now, and do the best you can.