Self Acceptance is needed before you can change your life
Self acceptance is not self defeating! Wanting to improve yourselves, reach a goal or achieve something in life is terrific. Having a goal gives you something to be excited about and to reach for. However, if you’re waiting for any of those things to happen in order to feel good about yourself, you’re going about it the wrong way. Actually, the exact opposite approach is more effective. The bonus to this is that you’re happy while you’re on your journey. In other words; self-acceptance and self appreciation gives you the energy and the confidence needed to make those important changes in life. Self acceptance gives you the resiliency needed to discipline yourself to keep going when the going gets tough. Let’s face it, in the achievement of most worthwhile goals the going does get tough, sooner or later.
Watch my video to learn more about self acceptance for positive change
Self acceptance does not mean you cannot improve your life
The media has convinced us that if we don’t look a particular way, drive a certain car and have the right body type we just aren’t worthy. It’s no wonder that so many are waiting until all of that is achieved before feeling good about themselves. The truth is those goals are elusive and as soon as we reach one, the styles change and then we’re supposed to be like someone or something else. It’s exhausting and a no win situation.
As a society we are obsessed with self improvement constantly dissatisfied with who we are now. This is not just sad; it is self destructive as we will never be truly able to change if we don’t accept our starting point- the present moment, the now that we are. Robert Holden gave a talk at an Ignite conference at which he said.. http://mike-robbins.com/self-improvement-vs-self-acceptance/
“There’s no amount of self improvement that can make up for a lack of self acceptance.”
Many of us feel that if we actually accept ourselves now that we’ll never make any changes, or self-improvement. We think that accepting ourselves as we are now is giving up or copping out.
Why you should embrace self acceptance
Self acceptance NOW, exactly as you are in this moment is what we all need to live a happy life to say nothing of having the oomph to actually improve something about ourselves. Nothing drains us more than fighting what is, and what is now, is YOU. You, warts and all, where you are and who you are in this moment. When we realize that the greatest source of our mental and emotional pain comes from that deep feeling that we’re just not good enough, not “something special” then we know that the real culprit is ourselves. We need to challenge and defeat our inner ogre.
In the article 10 Keys to Happier Living Based on Self Acceptance http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-athletes-way/201403/10-keys-happier-living-based-self-acceptance
Christopher Bergland quoted a 2014 study
A March 2014 survey by psychologists who study happiness identified “ten keys to happier living” and daily habits that make people genuinely happy. In an unexpected finding, the psychologists at the University of Hertfordshire who performed the survey found that the habit which corresponded most closely with being happy—and satisfied with overall life—is self-acceptance.
One way of handling how you feel about yourself is to repeat a simple mantra, explained very well in an article by J Marie Novak. The mantra is,
“There’s nothing wrong with you”
http://believeandcreate.com/self-acceptance-the-journey-to-the-real-you/
Five things you can do now to begin your journey to self acceptance.
- List on paper anything you’ve done in your life that was a kindness towards another.
- Call a trusted friend and ask them what they actually like and appreciate about you.
- Recognize that God doesn’t make mistakes and she didn’t in your case either.
- Find one physical quality about yourself that you like or appreciate.
- Go outside and sit in nature. Notice how peaceful you feel among life that simply is, with no wanting to be different.
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Let me know what you believe is preventing you from accepting yourself; please comment below
I’m so glad you enjoyed my blog Michele. I appreciate your comments as always!
Love, Lorane
I accept myself! Thank you Lorane! Your advice is always filled with such wisdom. Simple yet we sometimes forget. I love your Successful Sunday Starts!! You always make me smile. You looked beautiful 😉