For the Love of YOU!
With February, and this week in particular focusing on love, I wanted to reflect on a different facet of relationships. Certainly our world could use a little more love from everyone. I wanted this article to flip it back inward, what about the love for oneself? Far too often, I have listened to family, friends and clients complain, denigrate, and down right rip themselves apart (figuratively of course) because of their intense dissatisfaction with their looks, their weight, their body in general. It’s distressing to hear these self-deprecating comments come from such brilliant, charismatic and intelligent people. Is this all that defines us? Our covers? And what exactly is perfection and more importantly, is there anyone out there who is the epitome of perfection? Sadly, the vast majority of us struggle with this impossible goal on a daily basis, constantly discontented. But let me ask this – is your perceived picture of perfection realistic? Is it something truly attainable for you? I drive an Audi but would love if it were a Lamborghini – but no amount of wishing and grumbling on my part will change my car. I could have it repainted and “souped-up” but it will never be a Lamborghini. So why the constant battle to be anything but who we truly are? Take a really good look in the mirror – see the beauty before you, acknowledge and celebrate it. Is there room for improvement – maybe – but there’s the rub – understanding and accepting the difference between striving for a better, more evolved you versus struggling to be someone else (especially when it’s a skeletally over –airbrushed magazine model). Don’t’ mistake my musings as a free pass from having to do any work, especially if you do have health issues. I’m in no way endorsing ceasing all attempts at living a healthy life. What I am advocating is loving yourself, recognizing the amazing potential within you, enjoying the journey of self-evolution and taking pleasure and pride at all your accomplishments along the way. So I challenge you, to give yourself a break, be free of any and all unrealistic expectations you’ve put on yourself and fall in love with yourself all over again.
