Motivations by Lady A: What's Love Got To Do With It!!!

Introduction

Hmmmm, I asked myself the question: "What's LOVE Have to Do With It" and realized it has all of the key elements to sustain my being. If I don't do it, who will. Like a car needs gas to move, or people need food/nourishment to grow, LOVE is needed to feel good about yourself and build this supreme level of confidence that no one can ever take away.

It's quite interesting how we (women) are considered good nurturers and give incomparable love to others to include but limited to: our children, mates, family members, pets and friends BUT the one important person we neglect is OURSELF!!! How does this happen?!? I believe its a natural reaction but then something comes over us...an unusual feeling...one that is rather exhausting and sometimes depressing. We say, "Dag, I am loving everyone else but who is loving ME". Well, that's how I felt and realized I had to do something about it. As a result, I completed a true self evaluation and self therapy to understand what was happening and to take a stand to LOVING ME better.

I want to share some of these great tips with you to help. Trust me, by doing them, OMG, you will feel alot better and learn to LOVE YOU first. Remember, it is key before you can truly LOVE anyone else.

Here are 24 Ways to LOVE Yourself...

1) Treat Others With Love & Respect

When you bring joy to the lives of others, you find joy in your own. Those that you treat

well will likely repay you with the same kindness. Gradually you will start to feel your

worth through acts of gratitude. God rewards genuine people therefore, don't be very kind to people only to receive royal treatment. It does not work that way.

2) Share Your Being with Others

Create goodwill and thankfulness by practicing random deeds of kindness. You can mentor, share your knowledge in nice ways or make a small donation to someone in need (near or far)

3) Express Yourself

Share your thoughts, ideals or time

4) Learn to Let Go of the Past

You deserve a fresh start! There are many people that have had hard lives/bad beginnings or moments. Don't close yourself out of challenges, grief, disappointments, or fears of future ridicule. Be in tuned to your feelings, but strive to put them behind you. Cherish learned lessons and how you have changed or grown from them.

5) Forgive Yourself

Don't punish yourself for things you have done in the past. Instead, look at them as a learning experience. Say to yourself now: “I forgive myself for _______.” Go look in a mirror and say it out loud to yourself, look yourself right in the eyes and speak forgiveness like you mean it. Don't ever demean or ridicule yourself, or if you do then laugh realizing that was then and this is now. Every day is a new beginning!

6) Post Positive Statements Where You Will See Them Each and Every Day

"I am wonderfully and beautifully made." or "I have the courage to love." Read them aloud every day. Post it notes are great for such affirmations and goals.

7) Sit In Front of the Mirror

Imagine in the mirror is someone putting you down. Then practicing calming replying to her, "I do 'not' care," with a smile. Practice it until you truly believe it.

8) Try to Look Past "Material" Objects and Feelings

We all desire a nice house, nice things and someone to share our life with. Find your true wants objectively. Do you crave power, a religion or simply a motive? Sometimes it's easier to hide the truth from yourself, but figuring out what you really want will help you know yourself better and hopefully aid in answering important questions you often ask yourself.

9) Keep a Journal

Write about your experiences, good and bad. When you write down good experiences, allow yourself to feel those feelings. When you remember bad experiences, allow yourself to feel self-compassion. Compassion is not self-pity, but rather willingness to be present/accept with one's own pain and regret. Most people experienced chronic emotional invalidation growing up; adults shouldn't expect others to be validating, and need to learn how to validate themselves. Compassion allows us to be present with our pain so it can acknowledged and let go.

10) Be Persistent

Work as steadily as you can at loving and accepting yourself just as you are right now. A large part of love is accepting another "as is". This is no different for yourself—learn to love yourself "as is". Only after we've accepted themselves we might think about changing some less-than desirable characteristics.

11) Start Working Towards How and What You Want to Be or Do

Do so with a positive attitude by working toward your higher purposes and greater appreciation of your problems as motivating your finding new and better opportunities. Be enthusiastic and cheerful (appropriately)

12) Don't Define Yourself By What You Have Done or Do

Celebrate your accomplishments but let go of the things you haven't...yet? Remember that success is not a destination. Success is making progress (toward the desires of your heart). Accept yourself, and others will follow your lead. You are not your deeds, appearance, or bank balance.

13) Hug Yourself

Show yourself love through a hug by hugging the real you

14) Be Yourself

Be who you really are, express yourself, laugh, play, sing. Don't be afraid of what others think, they feel the same way and want to express themselves, but are afraid to show it too.

15) Trust Yourself

Don't just blindly follow other peoples suggestions. Learn to trust who you really are.

16) Think of Five (5) Positive Words That Best Describe You

Try not to use words like *pretty* and *nice*. Try variety.

17) Think About What You Really Want Someone To Be Like In a Relationship

Do those characteristics also apply to you?

18) Practice Receiving Love

To truly love is to be able to receive it. When someone loves

you, does some kind deeds to you, say kind words, give you gifts, or give you compliments, embrace it. Allow yourself to feel the love that has come your way. Know that you are worthy of love. It is important to accept a gift of love by others. You give yourself a chance to learn more about yourself that you are lovable. You give someone a joy of giving by loving you. Another important way is to practice receiving love by saying “I love you” to yourself. Let that love fill your heart. Receive that love that you give to yourself unconditionally.

19) Practice Saying "NO"

It is o.k. to say “no” to people when you do not feel like doing something. Do not feel guilty about it. Just realize that you have the right to do so. This is different from doing things out of love. If you do things out of love and your heart wants to do them, that is a different story. When your heart does not want to do it and you feel like you have to please someone, and make others happy by over extending yourself. Learning how to say “no” is an art. It takes practice. You might say “Thank you for asking. I am not ready to commit to doing anything right now.” You cannot please everyone. When you say “no”, remember to smile sincerely and say “no” gracefully.

20) Do What You Love

What do you love to do? If you could find something that you love to do and spend time doing it, you will experience love, joy, and happiness in your heart. That is when you truly connect with your authentic self. As a result you become happier and more loving.

21) Treat Yourself Like Treating Your Very Best Friend

How do you treat your very best friend? Do you treat him/her with love, kindness, trust, appreciation, acceptance, and respect? If you can give that to your friend, why don’t you give that to yourself? Practice treating yourself like you treat your very best friend by saying kind words to yourself. Stop calling yourself names. Stop beating yourself up. Give yourself compliments. Know your boundaries and listen deeply to your needs. Always be kind and gentle with yourself

22) Nurture Yourself

Self care is very important. Set up some time to be by yourself, just by yourself. Do something that gives you peace, love, and joy with yourself. You can nurture yourself physically by exercising and consuming healthy food. You can nurture yourself emotionally by listening to love songs, painting, or helping others in need. As you give yourself to others and offer help, you receive the gift of love back. You feel good about yourself because you live your life on purpose. You can nurture yourself mentally by reading your favorite books. You can nurture your spiritually by doing meditation.

23) Stop Comparing Yourself to Others

Everyone on this earth is unique. We all have different gifts. When you compare yourself to others, it makes you feel bad about yourself. When you compare yourself to others for what they have, whether it is a car, a house, a mate, children, money, or a job, it makes you feel low self esteem, lose your confidence, and perhaps depressed, envy or jealous. A way to stop comparing yourself to others is by focusing on your own strength. Get to know yourself and discover what is your greatest gift that you are meant to share with the world. Another great way is by practicing gratitude. Be happy for what you have. Really be grateful about everything that you have; people in your life, job, relationships, material, etc. Gratitude keeps your heart open to love. No one is quite like you. Just be you. Be grateful for being the wonderful you. Do the best you can. Be the best you can and love yourself more. Then, you have more love to give to others