How to love yourself

I’m thrilled to present this month’s group collaboration about self-love and acceptance.

Love is established from the very first moment a mother feels her baby flutter inside her tummy. This type of love is more than love at first sight.

Some might not believe in love before or at first sight because, when we look at ourselves in the mirror, we know exactly who is staring back at us.

We may be able to fool others, but we can’t fool that flawed reflection staring back at us.

So, how do we get past thinking about all the bad things we have hidden in our past?

Sometimes we need to step outside of our flesh and begin thinking in a more profound spiritual way.

First, you need to realize that you need to experience some form of love in your lifetime.

No need dredging up insecurities about whether or not you deserve to be loved. Everyone is worthy of a healthy relationship.

Next, love promotes healing to the mind, body, soul, and spirit.

Love is peaceful and unselfish.

There’s no friction or conflict involved in real love.

Finally, love is unconditional. There are absolutely no strings attached. It’s FREE. Love should be more spiritual than physical. Spirituality allows us to look beyond sin and flaws. We love for the sake of love and not for a specific feeling.

We must learn to love ourselves before we can love and be loved.

How do we obtain self-love?

Self-care

Yes, you must take good care of yourself. You can obtain a strong sense of self by practicing daily prayer and/or meditation. You must set aside a few minutes for every day and simply reflect on goodness all around. Quiet mediation allows you the power to make contact with your inner spiritual person.

Face your weaknesses head-on

Sometimes facing any weak points in your life tends to make you feel less than your best. No one likes to be judged in this world. You must realize, you are human and you have and will always make mistakes. Facing your mistakes and insecurities will be your first step to the healing process.

Deal with old hurts and pains

You may not be able to see the actual scars of pain, neglect, or abuse, but they are there. The release of negative emotions and hurts will eventually rise to the surface. Be open to listen to people that truly love and care about you. These people may have a slight insight to these hidden secret places in your heart. Remember, you are not alone. Find someone who can empathize with your pain.

Forgive Yourself

Forgiveness is for you. When you forgive someone else or yourself, you set yourself free. As I stated earlier in this post, there’s no one that knows your secrets better than you. You are the one that wake up each morning in your skin and walk to the mirror to look at the real person that no one else really knows.

Don’t beat yourself up too bad. However, you must do something to correct the way you see yourself.

You must repent and forgive yourself for the deep, dark secrets that no one knows about. It starts with you. You can’t simply forgive yourself without bringing that thing to the light. Expose it and move forward in healing.

Change is gradual

Baby steps. How old are you? ____ O.K, well, it took you that long to get to this point. So, don’t think you are going to change overnight. Start by capturing and seizing any bad thoughts about the person you were. The enemy wants to keep you bound by chains and shame. You can conquer anything, including your thoughts.

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;2 Corinthians 10:5

Foster healthy relationships

This is super important in gaining strength to self-love. You are meant to walk out this life with like-minded people who genually care about you. Not everyone will be able to be the right fit in your road to self-love and discovery. You will lose some people along the way–and that’s ok. Whoever isn’t for you must be against you. Don’t be afraid to do some house cleaning. This is about loving you and knowing you are extremely important and worthy enough to be with the very best people. You may have to cut off some family members too. You are worthy of finding people to walk the same path with you. These same people will begin to respect you, eventhough they may get mad in the beginning. Give them some time and if they are smart, they will see things your way.

We attract people similar to ourselves. If you live in darkness, you will attract darkness. If you live in light you will attract light.

These simple suggestions will help you get on the path to receiving self-love.

You deserve to encounter this love experience.

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Please take time to visit this months blog collaborators:

Collaborators
*Addison D’Marko
Ajibola Sunday @ Inspirational Motivation
*Barb Caffrey @ Barb Caffrey’s Blog
Camilla Motte @ Moms on the Go
*Divyang Shah – I think my way
*Ipuna Black
Jothish Joseph @ TheJothishJosephBlog
*Jane Love @ Harmonious Joy
*Manal a.k.a. iamthatgirl @ Sensible Nonsense
*Mylene C. Orillo
*Nicolle K @ Stories of a Highly Sensitive Introvert
*Sadaf Siddiqi. Taking One Step
*Sonyo Estavillo @ ‘Lil Pick Me Up
*Tajwar Fatma @ LifeAsWeHaveNeverKnownIt

24 Replies to “How to love yourself”

  1. First of all, knowing that you are in Houston I am glad to find you in good health. I am glad to see you in good spirits and most of all, safe. I agree with you on so many levels. If you forgive someone else, you really are setting yourself free.

    I really connected with the notion that change is gradual and to accept it. I really love facing things head on in baby-steps. Because, most of the time we want things done now and we are very impatient. However, change and progress is often a very gradual process. Love is often never about others or what they feel about us. Love us often about how we feel about ourselves. We project onto others what is within us, if we harbor hate in our heart, we reflect that and project that. But, if we are love, then we project it and that ought to be our ultimate goal no matter if we are religious or not.

    And FYI- thank you for your 1st Corinthians 13 quote with image. I love the quote and I try to turn to it whenever I need a reminder of what love truly is. <3 🙂

    1. Awe, bless you. I appreciate that special sentiment about the recent storm. It was and still seems like nightmare. Waking out my front door, seeing people’s entire lives on their front lawns is just horrific. We are well and highly favored. ♥ absolutely, baby steps is a must. I’ve found that if I break seemingly big tasks or feats into small obtainable sections, then I can accomplish them better. Yes, you are correct. In my opinion, love isn’t about the other person. We have to feel loved in order to be loved in a healthy sense. Bravo !! Great minds think alike. 🌹 many blessings

  2. Great post! I like how you list down how to obtain self-love, especially the part about being in solitude isn’t a negative thing. ❤️

  3. Camilla, I’m glad you and your family are safe! Thank you for still participating with us. I was excited to hear your take on this topic because you picked it! I love all of your points and the scripture verses. Forgiveness is my favorite point above and sometimes the hardest to do. Be safe!

    1. Awe, thank you so much. I appreciate your concern. Thank God we are well. These acts of nature are always difficult because they are beyond our control. Yes, my favorite is forgiveness too, because I remember a time in my life where I didn’t think about forgiving. I’d rather see payback happen. I’m glad I’ve grown in my faith & my walk. My job is to forgive & let God handle the rest. It’s not easy, but it’s how it should occur. 🌹 bless you

  4. You’ve listed the points and explained them clearly. Great post.

    1. Thanks dear. Appreciate you taking time to read and comment. 🌹

  5. And it all boils down to love… the unselfish kind, not self-seeking… the Christian definition of love. Thank you for sharing this Camilla. This is one of my favorite Bible verse about love. So inspiring and motivating! Hope all is well with you and your family. My prayers are with you.

    1. Thank you Mylene. We certainly appreciate your prayers. God is faithful even in the midst of tragedy. Yes, love is the key. Good, bad, right, or wrong, we should portray love to ALL.

    2. Thank you Mylene. I hope I’m not commenting twice. If so, then you know I appreciate you

      1. It’s okay Camilla. Thank you. I appreciate you too

  6. Love is beyond words indeed and self love is the visa to experience this. It’s really important to first clean ourselves before we set sail towards society and this for me was the most influential point you’ve made here! Thoroughly enjoyed reading this!

    1. Thank you for these profound words. I appreciate you taking time to read and comment. Many blessings

    2. Hey Jothish, thank you for taking time to read my post. Yes, well put “Self-Love is the visa to experience this” I agree, we must cleanse ourselves before we set said towards society. We can’t present an unclean heart and try to produce a clean one. Thank you =D

  7. First of all, I’m soooo very sorry I’m late. I actually thought I had read everyone’s post.
    Secondly, I’m glad to know that you and your family are in good health in our Lord and Master Jesus despite the recent storm. Every time I get an update about the recent happenings regarding the storm, I take some time out to pray and intercede because the people I care for live in that region – some of my relatives and you and your daughter who strangely doesn’t fully appreciate her curls.
    I completely agree with you that if you forgive someone else, you really are setting yourself free.
    That change is gradual and that we must learn to accept it and adapt accordingly.

    Yes, like Sonyo rightly commented, Love is often never about others or what they feel about us. Love us often about how we feel about ourselves. We project onto others what is within us.

    I love how you use the scriptures to teach us such practical steps on how we should love ourselves. Especially love the 1st Corinthians 13 quotation. It is a reminder of what love truly is. <3 🙂

    Thanks for sharing!! <3

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