Needless to say, I think yoga is one of the most beneficial things one can do to his/her mental and physical wellbeing. But actually there is one thing I think which may be even more important. That is loving yourself.
Louise Hay is the author of a book titled ‘You can Heal Your Life’, published in 1984, which sold over 30 million copies in 30 languages. She is said to be the first person who suggested the connection between some diseases and certain mental patterns. These links themselves may or may not be true, but her main message is very clear. ‘Loving yourself is the most healing thing you can to yourself.’
When I say’ loving yourself’, you may think it is so simplistic, but in psychological term it can be rephrased as ‘unconditional positive self-regard’ , which is crucial for one’s mental health.
‘Ok’, you may think. ‘It sounds good but it’s not easy’. Well, it is not easy because most of us has developed the unhealthy mental patterns to not to love ourselves. And we need to develop new patterns or new habits to undo this.
And here are some of the things you can do from this moment, for the rest of your life. These are all Louise’s suggestions but I am rephrasing them. I have been working on them for many years and they are really not difficult things to do.
1. Never say bad things about yourself. Don’t say ‘I’m fat/too stupid/ too old’. You don’t say these to a child you love. So why do you say to yourself?
2. Don’t deny good things. If you succeed in something, don’t say ‘I can’t believe it’. Or ‘I was just lucky’. Take credits! If someone compliments you , don’t deny it. Just smile and say thank you.
3. Don’t curse yourself. Don’t say things which you don’t want to be true. Don’t say things like ‘I know it’s not going to work.’, ‘I know I can’t afford it’.
Ask yourself, ‘Do I say this to a small child I love?’ I know you are not a child but there is always a small child in you. I’m 56 but I sometimes feel 18 inside and I know you do, too. No matter that your aga is, we all have vulnerability inside like small kids.
Treat your inner child well. That is loving yourself.
Please share freely.
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