We’ve all heard this spiritual lesson “Love your neighbor as yourself”. Have you ever stopped to think how you love yourself? Hopefully my treatment of my fellow man is not how I treat myself. Watch how you treat yourself. Listen to your “self talk”. I am plagued with self-accusations of “I should have done that” or “That was so stupid”, or possibly “You idiot”! I would never speak that way to my neighbor, so why would I beat myself up with those condemning words? Here’s a twist: I should “love myself as well as I love my neighbor”!
Among the many wonderful things that I’ve learned working with the dynamic duo of Gail and Traci form Holistic Marketing Mentors is the cycle of ups and downs of the “learning curve.” As they try to teach this “old dog” new tricks of marketing and social media, I experience the trial and tribulations as a “slow leaner”! As a fumble my way through forgotten passwords, lost user names, and wandering around aimlessly on the web, I hear reassuring words from my coaches, “Sweetie, don’t worry we’ll find that”. “Honey, you’ll get this.” With these comforting terms, my shoulders drop, the knot in my stomach unwinds, and my headache subsides.
So when we engage in self-criticism by not being smart enough, good enough or other fatal flows, remember some self compassion and self love. Let try using these endearing terms with our own self talk and begin speaking lovingly to ourselves, even when we think we don’t deserve it. You’ll find yourself smiling and immediately feeling better by putting things in perspective.
So, “Sweeties”, wrap yourself in the unconditional love of the Spirit and live this guilt-free tip: Remember: changing our words in talking with ourselves and others will help us find happiness even when life throws challenges our way. Love starts as an inside job!
Your “Sweetie”, Patty
