love is....

"I loved that woman for many reasons, but mostly because she believed in me when I really needed someone to. Her confidence meant a lot."

I took this quote from a fellow blogger. When I read this I immediately think of my mentor. She is an amazing women, and has the characteristics that I aspire to have in the future. I know that I can always count on here when I am feeling down. To know that someone else has so much confidence in you and your success when you don't is simply amazing. All she has to do is tell me simple words via email like "You are doing great today. Don't forget, okay?!" Words like that just brighten my day, and gives me to extra emmph I need to continue my day.

This women has a special place in my heart. She motivates me to be the best person I can be, and gives me the assurance that I am on the right path.

But then it makes me revert back to my piece where I spoke about loneliness. With no denying it, no matter how many people I am surrounded with, or how many people tell me they love me, I can't help but feel alone and that no one understands me. Love is defined as a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person or thing. In order to feel that way about something else you need to first feel that way about yourself. Its hard for me to say, but at times I don't completely love myself. I doubt myself and my capabilities. At times, I feel as if I am on the right path, but then life seems to overwhelm me and egoism steps in, and I become very defensive and do not want work from anyone, especially when I need it the most.

One thing I realize is that we need to value our worth, and be grateful for our existence on this lovely planet. As a word, love can be found worldwide and is often used to describe compassion and/or emotional attachment. Accepting those you love for who they are is part of love. You also need to learn to accept yourself before you can accept another. If you cannot love your self, how are you to love another? You may even find it difficult to even search your heart for that little bit of love you have for yourself, but that is the number one step we need to take.

There are many different ways to accomplish this. I found this website with a list of tips and ways to love yourself, I fully agree that this is the ultimate step.( http://www.attractionmindmap.com/how-to-love-yourself-in-17-ways/)

1. Fall in love with yourself.
2. Eliminate self criticism.
“I CAN is 100 times more important than IQ.” — unknown
3. Be kind and positive.
- When you are positive and kind to yourself, you eventually believe your words and actions then loving yourself comes natural.
4. Acknowledge Your Effort.
5. Trust Yourself. And be truthful to yourself.
- You would be surprised at how much you actually know, and if you don't, don't fake it, the truth will set you free.
6. Forgive yourself.
“To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.”
Lewis B. Smedes

There are so much more things you can do to improve the love you have for yourself. Relaxation, reflection, positive affirmations, spiritual healing, being healthy or just simply having fun.

“I am Me. In all the world, there is no one else exactly like me. Everything that comes out of me is authentically mine, because I alone chose it — I own everything about me: my body, my feelings, my mouth, my voice, all my actions, whether they be to others or myself. I own my fantasies, my dreams, my hopes, my fears. I own my triumphs and successes, all my failures and mistakes." - Virginia Satir

Do you truly love yourself? What do you do to get through the day?

I truly want to know. ;-)