I'm closing out gratitude week with the thought that sometimes there is an individual out there whose value and needs get overlooked more often than not. An individual who we speak to badly, are dismissive of, or criticize. That individual is ourselves.
Most of the time our loved ones and their needs are at the forefront of our minds and our preoccupation is in making sure they have fully what they need mentally and physically. This is what gives us our humanity.
Kindness and compassion should be traits not just reserved for your family and friends but for yourself as well. Self love is not self indulgent or absorbed, nor vain. It instead allows us our well being to be able to fully nurture and give to others. The way I think about it is how an airplane safety demonstration tells you to put on your air mask should an emergency situation arise. You put your mask on first to help others. Not because you are being selfish or putting your needs ahead of other peoples'. Quite the opposite, so you are in a position to be able to help them. You will be no good to anyone depleted and worn down of self love.
It took a while for me to change my perception on this. You can be so caught up with what you're not, what you haven't achieved, how you're not lived up to unrealistic expectations that you've set for yourself that you miss the joy and happiness that is happening in your life right there and then. Being kind to yourself changes your view and makes you recognize qualities and traits that have gone unappreciated. Suddenly you will come from a place of gratitude focussed on what makes you awesome rather than where you are lacking.
Just think - it's only how other people who love you see you .
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