"To love oneself is the beginning of a life-long
romance," says Oscar Wilde.
Taking laws of attraction to another level is self-love.
Loving ourselves attracts more love. As simple as that. But why is it that we
don't practice it often? Because most of us confuse self-love with selfishness.
Unfortunately we have been conditioned from childhood to think that to put
oneself first amounts to self-centredness. What is the thin line that divides
both? "Self love" spreads by including others too in the process
while "selfishness" is loving one's own self at the exclusion of
others.
Ignoring the conditioned mind, let's start listening to our
heart. Without procrastinating anymore, let's start practicing to love
ourselves right now. Healthy self-love means doing things which adds quality to
our lives.
Having confidence in ourselves, being kind to ourselves by
binging on that chocolate once in a while, not feeling guilty when we take a
much needed break to watch a movie occasionally, treating ourselves
with a health spa when required, patting our own back on a success,
taking responsibility for failures without remorse, be willing to
accept help when offered, accepting and honoring our emotions when we feel like
crying, accepting compliments gracefully, forgiving ourselves
whenever we commit a mistake, being gentle and compassionate to
ourselves. These are only small beginnings.
One word of caution though about this life-long romance.
Knowing where to draw the line. Else we would end up like this woman who loved
herself a little too much.
A woman was lamenting that she
had gained weight. She'd made her family's favorite cake over the weekend, she
reported, and they'd eaten half of it at dinner.
The next day, she said, she kept staring at the other half, until finally she cut a thin slice for herself. One slice led to another, and soon the whole cake was gone. The woman went on to tell her friends how upset she was with her lack of willpower, and how she knew her husband would be disappointed.
Everyone sympathized, until someone asked what her husband said when he found out.
She smiled. "He never did. I baked another cake and ate half!"
The next day, she said, she kept staring at the other half, until finally she cut a thin slice for herself. One slice led to another, and soon the whole cake was gone. The woman went on to tell her friends how upset she was with her lack of willpower, and how she knew her husband would be disappointed.
Everyone sympathized, until someone asked what her husband said when he found out.
She smiled. "He never did. I baked another cake and ate half!"
