The definition for self love is “The instinct or desire to promote one’s own well-being; regard for or love of one’s self.”
Sounds simple, everyone should have the desire to promote their own well-being, right?
Let me ask you:
* Do you think you are practicing self love when you beat yourself up for something you should have or should not have done?
* When you allow yourself to be consumed with guilt?
* Through your eating and exercise habits?
* Do you have a hard time forgiving yourself?
You might be asking; How do I love myself without coming across as being conceited or egotistic?
It is by being as accepting and giving to yourself as you are to others. Treating yourself with respect. Not putting yourself down. Accepting your weaknesses and embracing your strengths. It is knowing and accepting that you are not perfect and never will be. The good news is neither is anyone else!
Self Love allows you to capitalize on your strengths and how to accept your weaknesses without guilt or remorse.
Loving yourself unconditionally does not mean that you will like every action you have taken or will take. Nor does it mean that you will always say the right words. It’s accepting yourself just as you are. It is releasing the doubts you have about yourself. It is not being concerned with pleasing everyone we know for fear of being rejected.
Self love is not conceit nor is it egotism. Conceit brags about oneself to make himself look better than others as does egotism. However, there is a side of egotism that you might not know about – the silent egotist. This person silently puts everyone down in his or her minds. They feel superior and believe that they are superior. They know more and their way is right. They believe they are practicing good sense to resist putting others down verbally. Ego operates based on fear – looking to others for love and acceptance.
It is a calm inner peace of knowing who you are and what you want. It has a quiet, steady radiance, which draws others to its light.
Ways to practice loving yourself include taking time for yourself, getting massages, treating yourself to a movie or dinner, be kind to yourself, soak in a tub, take a walk, take up a new sport or try something you’ve always wanted to but was afraid of what others would say.
