Loving self: Discussion and lesson plan

Positive Affirmation

Today I declare that I Love myself. I do not require anything for this statement to be true. What I think and feel about myself is the most important opinion in my life.

 

( click play on the player to have us read this article to you)

Choosing Love

If in every moment you said to yourself “I choose love”, your life would be radically different! This simple, yet profound statement can change your life. If you desire a life of peace and love, you must first become that in your own mind and body. Love is the bridge into deeper wisdom, when we choose love we are taking that first step across the bridge.

Love for self does NOT have to be earned, there is never a time when we deserve less love in our life. Love for self should never be restricted or cut off under any circumstance. Removing love for self is like not allowing ourselves air to breathe. Love is a vital need for us to live a healthy and purposeful life.

End the Self-Violence

An important step towards loving ourselves is to end the self-violence. People are violent to themselves for many reasons, none of which are positive nor productive if we are working at loving ourselves. We must be willing to set down any dialogue in our mind or practice that is not respectful or kind to ourselves, this includes being willing to stop the critical analysis of ourselves. If the things you say to yourself would be offensive coming from another, than that’s a good indication you need to create a healthier dialogue in your mind.

If the voice in your head tells you, “You can’t” or that you’re “Not good enough” don’t listen. Reject that voice in your head, it will get quieter and less obtrusive every time you don’t allow it to occupy your mind. Eventually it will become but a whisper that tries to get your attention from time to time. The amount of love we experience in our lives corresponds with the love we have for ourselves. In time as you learn to love yourself, the world will begin to reflect that back. You will no longer feel that you can’t do things and you will realize that you’re good enough! Self-violence can sometimes be a habit we have created over a long period of time so working our way out sometimes requires dedication and practice. If necessary place sticky notes around to remind yourself to be gentle and loving towards yourself.

Love versus Fear

One of the ways we can access deeper levels of love for ourselves is to work at reducing our fears. Fear can keep us feeling that we are trapped in our current situation and prevent us from going for the things that our heart desires. The great thing is that the more we throw ourselves into loving ourselves and into what we love, we naturally become more fearless.  Fear cannot live in a house love rules. Love yourself enough to reach for your dreams. Look for the ways fear has limited you and kept you in the safety box.

Characteristics of Love

A life without love, is really not a life at all. Love brings understanding to the most unexplainable things. Its silent nature embraces us and brings meaning to our human endeavours. It knows perseverance, for it’s there with you during your toughest times giving you just the right support you need to push you a bit further when it doesn’t seem possible. There is no place where loves does not fit, its malleable presence can fit in anywhere, anytime in our lives. Its nature is simple but nearly impossible to put to words because the depth that it contains. Love is without limit, there is no cap on how much is available for us to experience and share with ourselves and the world.

When we practice unconditional love, we are less likely to pass judgments onto people or ourselves. This type of love allows us to see ourselves and others from a different vantage point, we tend to find where we are similar to others versus seeing our differences. By observing yourself in others it allows you to become more compassionate and caring towards your fellow man. Learn to love yourself and the world and watch how life just gets sweeter by the day! If there were a recipe for a rich and full life, invariably you would find that love is the first ingredient.

Homework

1. Make a list of all the things you love about yourself
2. Make a list of all the things you love to do. Then make a plan to do the things on your list.
3. Identify the ways that you have not been loving towards yourself. Now write out a plan as to how you intend on changing that
4. Make a list of all the things you don’t love about yourself. Now go through that list and look at the things you can’t change and the things that you can. Ask yourself why don’t I love these things about myself? Then write a plan as to how you’re going to change that so you can let go of what you don’t love about you.

(The words from the video)

Loving yourself is not a thing you possess, it’s a choice you make daily.

We accomplish loving self through many little steps like…

Being kind to ourselves

Stopping the negative commentary in our mind

Cooking balanced meals for yourself

Making time to rest

Not allowing others to treat you poorly

Respecting self and others

Not giving more than what’s practical

Making time to work on a mindfulness practice

These are just a few ideas

Love is a choice away

Make the choice, Because You Matter

loving-self-lesson-plan

Click the link above to download this lesson

Lesson by Ned Burwell