How to Love Yourself

[CodieCW]

by Louise Hay

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!"

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.