Don’t Be One Of Them

Lots of people may have gotten (and still be getting) it wrong where seeing, respecting, appreciating, and loving you are concerned:

discouraged, when what was needed was encouragement; judged, when a little bit of understanding would’ve gone a long way; turned a deaf ear, when all you wanted was to be heard; demeaned, when your already guilt and shame-filled heart thirsted for affirmation; offered a cold shoulder, when what your weary soul longed for was a warm embrace; harshly criticized, when compassion and empathy were the soothing balm you sought; shut you out, when you desperately needed to be invited in; clung to past missteps, when forgiveness was what you hoped for; been blind, when your pain was in plain sight …

BUT YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE ONE OF THEM!

You can see and love “you” differently – compassionately, tenderly, non-judgmentally, empathetically – the way you’ve always wanted to be loved, deserve to be loved, were created to be loved, and are worthy of being loved. And you can speak to “you” differently – with words that encourage, that affirm, that forgive, that are kind and gentle – that give credit where credit is due. Because the truth is: The best way to show others how you long to be loved is to live and love “you” that way. So, why not start this week. Heck, why not start right now, by pausing for just a moment to consider what “loving you” looks like?

Maybe loving you is a warm candle-lit bath, a quiet afternoon with a favorite book, a night out (or in) with your favorite meal, a pen and a blank sheet of paper, snuggles with your four legged friend, a day’s respite from an artificial number on a scale, playing hooky and picnicking at your special place, a long drive to nowhere in particular with the wind in your hair and a favorite song on the radio, time spent with favorite photographs, a “to do” list (or two!) – not this one of course! – torn to shreds, a smile in the morning mirror, a whispered word of affirmation, a cup of coffee with a friend you’ve been meaning to reconnect with.

Baby steps. Pick one thing a day – every day this week – and practice loving you – unapologetically. I dare you.