Oscar Wilde once said, “To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.” 

The act of Self Love is not always as easy or romantic as it sounds.  Self Love requires one to be totally honest with themselves first, a bit challenging for some, but truly a way of living that deserves great respect.

How many times have I done things or said things from a place of “SHOULD?”  When you make a decision based on what you should do, there is some degree of self judgment or the fear of being judged by others. This can happen automatically and go on for years, until something inside you starts to notice this behavior and you wake up to what’s really going on.  Usually feelings like resentment, anger or sadness are key indicators that you are choosing to live life from a stand point of obligation rather than from inspiration or self love.  As you become more aware of what you are consciously agreeing to say yes to in your life, take a moment to pause.  Pausing is an act of self love because it gives you the space to really feel into things…does this action feel right to me? Or, am I doing this to keep an identity in place so that I don’t let someone down? or perhaps I don’t want to be judged in some way?

My friend Ike and I were discussing this topic one day;  he mentioned how we engage in life from either a place of inspiration, obligation or desperation.  If you do choose obligation or desperation, nothing’s “wrong” with that, the point here is to be honest with yourself, and to be in acceptance to that fact without judging yourself.

Increase Your Self Love

Above all else I feel that Self Love is being gentle and kind with ourselves, especially our self talk.  The inner dialogue that’s going on in our heads can either make or break us.  One great tip to increase self love in your life is to end your day with saying wonderful things about yourself immediately before you go to bed.  Try these tonight … I am love and I am loved.  I am living a joyful life.  I love myself exactly as I am. I wish myself a Happy Valentine’s Day!