How do you see and rate yourself? Do you always lament on being too fat or skinny, old or unattractive, dark and shabby? Do the beauty, happiness and success of others make you develop envy towards them? In my teenage years I always used to feel bad for myself. I was not able to accept myself the way I was or with what all I had. Gradually, I started getting easily disappointed and discouraged over small things. The way I saw myself became worse and worse day by day. People made fun of me, my friends used to tease me, my grades suffered; everything went into a topsy-turvy mode. One fine day I realized that self-acceptance is so important in life. The one who changed my perspective was a short, skinny lady who was a magnificent classical dancer. She was also very successful in that field. I thought that if she can make it to the top by having physical features like this, then why can’t I? Some other people who also greatly influenced me were a female Deputy Audit General who was short statured like me, a handicapped man who got selected in a National Level Talent Competition, a blind music teacher playing the Harmonium (a musical instrument like Piano) and so on. By seeing them excel in their respective fields I thought if they can accomplish so much even with their deformities then why can’t I? These people really changed my mind.

I realized that unless and until we change our mind-sets towards ourselves, even surviving in this world can get so difficult. No matter how good-looking or successful we are; some people will always make us feel bad about ourselves and pull us back. Moreover, manifold trials and tribulations, challenges and setbacks in life also push us into a deep trench of self-doubt and lack of confidence of ourselves.

Self-acceptance is the key factor that boosts our confidence and motivation levels, personality shaping, thought and behavior patterns and all-round development. No matter who you are, how you look, what are the situations you are in, what people say you…do not fall back in loving yourself, in accepting yourself and in believing in the fact that you are unique and no one else can take your place in the whole world. Here are some motivating lines that will take you some miles closer to self-acceptance:

“Because one believes in oneself, one doesn’t try to convince others. Because one is content with oneself, one doesn’t need others’ approval. Because one accepts oneself, the whole world accepts him or her.” – Lao Tzu

Self-acceptance can be developed in many ways. Some are easy techniques that you can find and use in your daily lives too:

1)    Mirror Therapy:

Every morning after getting up from bed, look into the mirror and say good/positive things for yourself. This is a form of self-affirmation. Starting your day with good, motivating and inspiring words towards yourself will charge you up for the day; it will boost your confidence and take you a step closer towards self-acceptance.

2)    Revisiting your inner self:

Of course by now you must be having self-knowledge. You may define yourself as someone’s family member, relative, working personnel for some company and so on. But, how much time do you spend in recognizing who you are and your inner self? The more you recognize your inner self, you inner beauty, latent talent-values-virtues…the more easy and vibrant self-acceptance will be.

3)    Journaling:

If you are already doing this, then it’s great. But, if some of you don’t know what journaling is then I would like to say that journaling is like diary-writing. You can do this before going to bed at night/after your day’s work is over. In the journal you need to write about the significant happenings for the day, how you felt and what it taught you about yourself. At the end you can make new resolutions or new goals for the next day or situation.

4)    Challenge yourself:

We all like to work and stay within our comfort zones and cocoons. But, sometimes it is good to get off-board and challenge ourselves. When you challenge yourself and go an extra edge to accomplish something you will learn a lot about your hidden potentialities and capabilities. So, never fear to challenge yourself or face a challenging situation. Beyond every fear, there is a new realization, a new learning and a new achievement.

5)    Pamper Yourself:

In the rush and hustle-bustle of working and living for others, we often tend to live for ourselves and pamper ourselves. So whenever you can, steal some time for yourself and pamper yourself. Celebrate even a small success of yours and celebrate your being on this Earth.

So folks, from now on learn to walk towards you. Remember that rather than any other person first you should be your best friend, best lover, best guide and the best support system.

“Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. Your really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.” – Lucille Ball

Best Wishes,

Sareeta