“Self- love is about radical self-acceptance.  It is about embracing of all that you are, as you are, right now.  It is about honoring all of your feelings and allowing them, for they are precious and everything about you is precious, just as it is.”

~Jennifer Posada

I was recently asked by my friend Daylle Deanna Schwartz to contribute to an article she wrote on self-love.  She asked me and several other experts what we did to love ourselves every day. Click on the link below to see what she had to say:

http://blog.beliefnet.com/lessonsfromarecoveringdoormat/2013/01/how-do-i-love-me-more-suggestions-from-pros-2013.html

Self-love is a tricky thing.  Why do we find it so easy to love someone else but so hard to love ourselves?  Where did the whole mind-set of breaking ourselves down begin?  Love is like your gas tank.  I know it is not the most romantic analogy, but think of it this way.  When your gas tank is full, your car can go miles and performs at its peak.  When your car is on empty, it sputters, stalls out and then you are going nowhere.  Love is the same way.  You cannot give what you do not have.  Loving yourself is the key to being the best person you can be for the others in your life who you also love so dearly.  Don’t you want to give them all you can?

At this moment, if you realize that you are lacking a bit in the self-love category, here are a few suggestions to get you started:

• Do something small for yourself every day.  Read a few pages in a book you enjoy, go for a walk, drink a cup of coffee (while you are doing NOTHING else) or just sit quiet for a few minutes without thinking (yes, it is possible!).
• Take good care of your physical body.  Chose your foods wisely, listen to your body, stretch daily and get some form of exercise.  Our bodies are meant to move…move them!
• Make a list of things you enjoy doing and refer to it daily.
• If you find it hard to make time for yourself, schedule it in your calendar and keep the appointment with yourself just as you would someone else.
• Start a journal – write down the thoughts that pop into your mind a lot and notice if you see a pattern.  Do you have old wounds that are still plaguing you?  What can you do to change your thoughts?
• Spend time with friends and family who lift you up, not drag you down.  Choose your company wisely.
• Get help if you feel you need it.  Sometimes talking to a professional helps clear your head and you then get new ideas on how to overcome the obstacles in your head.
• Pay attention to what your body and environment are telling you.  We get guidance in many different forms and every prayer is always answered.  Everyone is worthy!  You just need to listen.

The biggest gift you can give yourself is loving yourself.  This not only benefits you, but everyone whose life you touch.  ~Chris Sopa

Loving you,

Chris

Resources:

For more on self-love, visit Daylle Deanna Schwartz’s self-love movement at http://howdoiloveme.com/ .

Or Jennifer Posada at http://www.jenniferposada.com/.

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Chris Sopa is founder and owner of Chris Sopa International, Inc. You can learn more about her at www.ChrisSopa.com. Find her at Facebook.com/ChrisSopaInternational, Twitter @ChrisSopa, LinkedIn, and Google+.