Daily Inspiration 8-22-11

"Every day, passion speaks to us through our feelings.

That's why when you allow yourself to become anesthetized

by what others think, you literally block yourself from living

the life you were called to live. I promise you that if you make

a choice that doesn't please your mate, your friends, your mother,

or whoever, the world will not fall apart. The people who

truly love you want you to love yourself."

-- Oprah Winfrey

Risk. Sometimes we're just afraid to risk. Trust. Sometimes we're just afraid to trust. Believe. Sometime we're just afraid to believe, or don't know how to believe. We are important and the very first place that is meaningful is to ourselves. But others around us have their ideas and want me to fit in. I have learned to finally say, no thanks.

I don't think a life can be well lived without believing in ourselves; or rather, a better way to say it is loving ourselves.

This is one of those very hidden things that people spend a lot of time and energy trying to cover up. In fact, in my own experience with people, I see that self-love or self-acceptance is not nearly so common as some might believe.

Encouragement. There is nothing so valuable and helpful for self-love and self-acceptance as encouragement. Of course, encouragement from others is nice and often we may seek that and hope for it and plan for it, but as Jim Rohn used to point out, what if they don't show up?

When it comes down to it, we are in charge and accepting that responsibility is a powerful step toward believing in ourselves. We need to encourage ourselves and there are a number of ways to do that. One very powerful way is through the use of affirmations, especially the ones that begin with I am. Those are the two most powerful words to put in an affirmation.

A little courage is good, but courage is not so important as lifting ourselves up, then courage will be a natural result. Then, one day, we just begin practicing creating our own lives in a way we feel good about. Others may not agree. This is the place where courage comes into play, and it will take less each time.

The most important thing about self-acceptance is valuing ourselves and learning to appreciate our own thinking and our own ability to decide.

"Do What You Must, And Your Friends Will Adjust."

-- Robert Brault

Spread Some Joy Today--"Accept your genius and say what you think." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson