Gratitude
Sometimes on the journey towards self-love, we don’t know where to start. It seems almost impossible to go from self-deprecating thoughts and feelings to fully accept who we are. I believe that there is a space in between those two points. I believe that this in-between space is a space filled with gratitude and focusing on this very moment. When you can just sit back and look around at the things that you have; life, freedom, mobility, sound mind, the ability to try again, and people that care about you and be appreciative of those things, self-love and self-acceptance will come easily and naturally. It’s when we are too occupied with what is “missing” that we start to hate who we are and what we do have.
When we are fixated on what others have or what they may be doing that is when self-hate can take control of us. This may sound harsh, but the ability to mind your own business and focus on yourself makes life much easier and enjoyable. One of my favorite quotes says “ when you’re in your own lane, there is no traffic” and I take that to mean that you crash and burn when you are looking at what others are doing. You notice what kind of car they have or how far up ahead they may be and you start to get upset or feel inadequate because your car seems slower or is not as fancy. Instead, we should pivot our mindset a little bit and focus on being happy that we even have a car and it’s enough space for our car to safely pass through. I know someone is saying, but those are small things, who cares? But, it’s being happy and content with the small, everyday things that lead to the grand things in life. Yes, I know that other people have what you want but this is not an isolated thing towards you. You don’t know what they had to do or what they are doing to get those things or keep those things. You don’t know what life has in store for you.
Be grateful for life’s little pleasures and gifts. Be happy you are still on this physical plane to experience the taste of good food and hear your favorite song. Let the things that some people wish they were still here to experience be the things that make you fall in love with life and fall in love with yourself.