{"id":129,"date":"2012-05-02T19:02:04","date_gmt":"2012-05-02T19:02:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/happiness\/?p=129"},"modified":"2012-05-02T19:02:04","modified_gmt":"2012-05-02T19:02:04","slug":"self-love-to-happier-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/happiness\/2012\/05\/02\/self-love-to-happier-life\/","title":{"rendered":"Self-love to Happier Life!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Happiness starts with self-love<\/strong>. I have found the more we love ourselves, and truly embrace ourselves as the perfect, whole and creative beings we are \u2013 others will return that love. It was an \u201cAh-ha\u201d moment for me when I realized that everyone in my life is merely a mirror of my consciousness. They can only be as loving, respectful and good to me as I am to myself. I know this may sound like metaphysical \u201cwoo-woo\u201d but trust me it is real.<\/p>\n

Think about your own life. When you weren\u2019t being so kind to yourself \u2013 perhaps you were \u201cbeating yourself up\u201d for a mistake rather than forgiving yourself, or thinking \u201cI am not good enough\u201d for something rather than seeing your true worth, I bet others didn\u2019t treat you so good either. I have discovered they are merely reflecting back to us how we feel.<\/p>\n

The good news is about this insight is that we can learn to love ourselves more, accept ourselves fully (human imperfections and all) and practice more self-love on our path to a happier life. As I have personally learned to take much better care of myself, people treat me better, and as I accept myself unconditionally \u2013 others do that too.<\/p>\n

So here are my 3 Simple Suggestions to begin a lifelong practice of self-love:<\/p>\n

\u2022 Love Yourself<\/strong> \u2013 I know so many of us lead busy lives but I have found the more we do something just for us each day \u2013 the better our lives get. It may be a short meditation, morning prayer, pedicure, massage, golf outing or lunch with friends \u2013 what it is doesn\u2019t matter as much as it feeds your soul, recharges you and helps you remember yourself as the great person you are. (Shopping to look good counts too \u2013 whether it\u2019s Bloomingdales or a great consignment store, it all counts!)<\/p>\n

One book that I have also loved that really underscored this point was Cheryl Richardson\u2019s, Take Time for Your Life<\/em>, and also I love Louise Hay\u2019s book, I Can Do It<\/em> (with audio for the car).<\/p>\n

\u2022 Get Inspired<\/strong> \u2013 Over the years, I have learned that if I connect with the people, places and things that inspire me — I can overcome challenges, and love myself more. Just yesterday, I was listening to Rose Rock, author of Mama Rocks Rule<\/em>s, speak about how to overcome challenges and raise positive and productive kids today (She is mother of 10 children, and 17 foster children — including Chris Rock). I was particularly touched when she told us: \u201cBlessings are only good when you pass them on.\u201d<\/p>\n

So do something that inspires you and your greatness. It may be going for a walk in nature, feeding the birds in your backyard or listening to a truly empowering song \u2013 whatever it is fill yourself up with \u201csomething greater\u201d and also pass it on.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Express Yourself<\/strong> \u2013 With all of this radical self-care, and inspiration — creative expression so clearly comes next. I know that within everyone there are gifts to be given to this world whether it is making a wonderful key lime pie (YUM!), creating a wonderful garden patch, being a Professor of mathematics or painting a masterpiece. The list of possibilities is endless.
\nOne thing I know for sure is the more time we give ourselves to create, express our unique talents and really give to the world what is ours to give — we feel happier, and are learning to love every part of ourselves!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

By Maureen Healy<\/p>\n

Maureen Healy<\/strong> is an author, speaker, and expert on the topic of happiness. Her latest book, Growing Happy Kids: How to Foster Inner Confidence, Success and Happiness<\/strong><\/em>, is available wherever books are sold. She also writes for Psychology Today and PBS. More info: www.growinghappykids.com and @mdhealy<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Happiness starts with self-love. I have found the more we love ourselves, and truly embrace ourselves as the perfect, whole and creative beings we are \u2013 others will return that love. It was an \u201cAh-ha\u201d moment for me when I realized that everyone in my life is merely a mirror of my consciousness. 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