Loving Yourself By Claudia McNeely At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

One of the biggest problems facing most people today is lack of self-esteem. Our society does nothing to promote self-esteem in our children. In fact, just the opposite occurs. A baby is born knowing that it is the most beautiful, wonderful thing in existence. But as we grow up, we are told: "You're bad." "You aren't as smart as your brother." "Only babies cry." "Go play and leave me alone." Plus many other things to destroy our self-esteem.

One of the most important things we as humans need to learn is self-love. If we do not love ourselves, it is impossible for others to love us or for us to love anyone else. So, we are a society of people who hate themselves and have no idea how to love anyone. As a result of this, child and spousal abuse is rampant. Murders occur every day. Love can change all of this.

We are taught that if we love and care for ourselves that we are being selfish. This couldn't be further from the truth. The more you love yourself, the more love you have to give to others. By caring for yourself, you are then able to care for others.

But, how do we learn to love ourselves? Most people have no idea, because they have no role models to follow. Let's begin now to become role models for our children and our children's children. Try the following exercises and learn to love yourself.

1. Concentrate on something you love such as a rose, animal or child. After you have generated these strong feelings within yourself, transfer those feelings of love toward yourself. Look at your body, appreciating each part of it. Touch it and feel it's texture. Feel yourself inside it. Caress it. Smell it. Speak kindly to it. Practice this daily until you are comfortable with the exercise.

2. Choose a part of your body that you dislike or are ashamed of. Concentrate on that body part and direct love into it. You can try talking to it kindly and stroking it. If there is pain in your body, give it extra love. Then send love to your whole body. Try using the colors of green, rose, gold and white, filling your body with the colors.

3. Sit in front of a mirror, look into your eyes and love yourself. Do not allow yourself to make any judgments about the things you feel are wrong with yourself. If you find yourself doing this, immediately change the judgment to a loving thought. Speak kindly to yourself. Look deeply into your eyes and see the spirit there. Notice how beautiful your eyes are. Notice the positive aspects of your features.

4. Stand before a full-length mirror nude. Love and accept every part of your body. Touch your body and love it. When negative self-judgments arise, speak them out loud and feel your emotional response to them. Replace the negative judgment with a positive statement about that part of your body. Fill this body part with unconditional love. Cover your entire body in this way.

Some of these exercises will not be easy, but they will be well worth any embarrassment your suffer starting them.

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