I’m sure you’ll agree that we’re all capable of beating up on ourselves. It’s easy right? In fact, some of my dearest friends have become exceptionally talented at berating and criticizing themselves whenever the opportunity arises. They can’t make room for happiness, because they are so focused on negativity and self-doubt. It’s time to change all that, by accepting yourself and inviting happiness to be your new companion!
Self-acceptance is important, not just because of how it makes you feel about yourself, but also because it influences the way you feel about others. If you’re highly self-critical, the chances are that you’re not going to be very generous towards other people in your life. If your focus is always on the negative, pessimistic side of life, it’s easy to find fault with yourself and others around you. This can soon become a negative and self-destructive cycle, where you begin to attract the very things that you are focusing all of your attention on.
Tune into happiness
Of course, the same works in reverse. By focusing your attention on your strengths and positive attributes, you can also get better at nurturing the positive qualities in others. By changing your mindset, you are learning to value and appreciate your unique skills and talents, leading to a happier and more balanced approach to life. It’s like tuning a radio – you need to choose a gentle, loving, positive radio station that promotes unconditional self-acceptance every time you listen to it.
Of course nobody’s perfect, and we all have parts of ourselves that we’d like to improve or develop. Even if we are working on a few things, we should still be able to celebrate and accept the positive attributes that make us who we are. Accepting yourself as you are right now – and having an awareness of your strengths and development areas, is the key to personal happiness.
One of my friends recently confessed that she was scared of self-acceptance, because it felt like giving up. She was anxious that by accepting things as they are now, she would lose the impetus to grow and change. Following a lengthy discussion, she began to see that by not accepting herself (warts and all) she was actually limiting her capabilities and punishing herself by focusing a disproportionate amount of time and energy on her perceived imperfections.
Self-acceptance is a wonderful way to create firm foundations from which we can learn, grow and develop. By loving and accepting ourselves, we are able to love others – and crucially, accept their love in return. We begin to see ourselves as deserving of love, success, friendship, loyalty and in turn, these things will manifest in our lives, creating real and lasting happiness.
In the film adaptation of Bridget Jones’s Diary, Mark Darcy tells Bridget ‘I like you, very much. Just as you are.’ There’s a lesson in there for all of us. It’s time to start loving and accepting ourselves, just the way we are.
This is the greatest gift you can give yourself. Write down 10 things you like about yourself and concentrate on those things. This will help boost your self-esteem and acceptance.
To your happiness,
Debbie
Thoughtful points.
For being professionals you comments sure don’t show it. The spam is like paper that you can see through. Shame on you.
Debbie
I learned a long time ago that until I loved and accepted myself, warts and all, I couldn’t love another person properly.
That doesn’t mean that I give up learning and making myself better, but i do these things for me….and in turn others benefit as well.
I cannot make others happy by trying to fit into their world, so I don’t try anymore. The people I have in my life love me just the way I am.
Hi Brenda,
This is wonderful Brenda and the way it should be. You are so right when we do things to make ourselves better, because that is what we want to do, other to benefit from it. Just being ourselves is the happiest way to live our life. When we try to be something or someone else we loss who we really are and what we are here for. Keep up the good work, I love your attitude.
Have wonderful weekend and may you be blessed with lots of happiness.
Debbie
There’s an old mantra that says: “Accept me as I am so I may learn what I can become.” Without first accepting ourselves, we would be able to discover where we need to improve. Unfortunately, most of us are stubborn with our self denials.
Hi Walter,
This is so very true, “Accept me as I am so I may learn what I can become.” Yes, we can in the way of ourselves when it comes to self denial. I totally agree with you. Very good points you make. Thank you.
To your happiness always,
Debbie
Wonderful insight:-)
You really think or are you just a spammer?
Debbie
I view regular and you’ve executed a amazing career recently with your writings.
Thank you
Debbie
Nice post…Thank you for sharing some good things.
Thank very much. Glad you liked it. I’ll keep sharing.
Debbie
hey man, nice blog…really like it and added to bookmarks. keep up with good work
Thank you many bunches. and have a happy day.
Debbie
hey, nice blog…really like it and added to bookmarks. keep up with good work
Thanks John. Hope to hear from you again. Stay Happy,
Debbie
With a comment like that I sure am glad to see you doctors are trying to reinvent yourself. All you did was repeat what I said. Spam, spam, spam, shame on you. Is this really how a professional handles business. Not so much.
Debbie