“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection”- Gautama Buddha.
What if we all spent more time working on finding our inner peace rather than trying to mold ourselves into someone better. How can you find the gratitude to love yourself for who you are, as you are?
Set an Intention
In yoga, an intention is a plan or goal you aim to achieve for your day. Once you recognize your values- whether they be peace, persistence, or determination, you can begin to live your life in accordance with those values through your beliefs, attitude, and actions.
Let go of Regret and Judgement
It is easy to find yourself stuck in the past, unable to let go of past mistakes and self judgement. Look at yourself in the mirror and accept the person you see staring back at you. Holding on to your past regrets and judgement will only hinder the personal growth you wish to achieve. Deep breath in, deep breath out- tell yourself you are worthy and deserve gratitude today.
Thank Yourself
Take a minute to think of everything you’ve been through in your life. Your body has worked hard to endure life and stay alive for you, and it’s important to be thankful that you’re here today. You’ve overcome many of life’s obstacles and should take a moment to be thankful and proud of yourself for making it to where you are today.
Take Care of Yourself
You cannot take care of others if you are not well with yourself. Although it’s essential to nourish friendships and those closest to us, many of us begin to alter our lives to make those around us happy and in the process completely forget about ourselves. Drink plenty of water, eat healthier, exercise, and make time for yourself. This may seem a little different from your usual routine but remember that you will not be able to help those closest to you until you help yourself first.
Embrace Your Flaws
We are each uniquely flawed and imperfect. This is an inevitability, but it makes us who we are. We all strive for self-improvement, yet accepting your flaws is just as crucial to self-growth. Being content with yourself comes from within, and it is only there that you will find your peace.