You experience true love with another by first loving yourself.
Whether you are single or in a relationship, being thankful for your love is all about taking the time to value, pamper and reward yourself, because if you don’t do it, how can you expect someone else to? You experience true love with another by first loving yourself. There is no reason for not loving yourself.
Nobody should be without his or her own love. You are first your best friend and your own support. You couldn’t do anything without your own love and support to back you up. So if you didn’t get the love you wanted as a child, you can re-parent yourself and love yourself unconditionally. No matter what kind of childhood you had, good or bad, it’s time to take complete control of your life and accept yourself just the way you are.
Think for a moment and ask yourself, “What do I love about myself? What do I find most lovable about me? I bet you can think of at least half a dozen characteristics that make you lovable! Then make a list of your unique talents and achievements, both big and small and express your gratitude for all that you have. Now that you’ve done that, I bet you’re feeling pretty good about yourself.
Dedicate this month to gratitude for yourself, your family, friends and/or lover. There is no better way to communicate appreciation than through compliments, so make them a daily ritual. Saying something meaningful, appreciative and caring to someone special helps cement your relationship with them. It’s a way to build and maintain a positive relationship that grows and lasts. Your assignment is to give special people in your life emotional, physical and appreciative compliments. Here are some examples of each:
“I love you more each day.” (Emotional because it makes the heart sing)
“I love it when you take the time to listen to me.” (Appreciative and she/he will listen to you more often after hearing that)
“You look really beautiful/handsome tonight.” (Admire his/her physical attributes and let him/her know in no uncertain terms that he or she is hot)
If you’re not in a relationship, don’t let that stop you from doing this assignment. You can give a compliment to a total stranger by admiring his tie, his haircut, her shoes, her eyes or even the way he or she smells. Your compliment will make their day and you’ll be improving your communication skills along the way.
Thankful for your love includes showing gratitude to the people who have taken care of you, taught you, served you, worked with you and raised you. Take the time to tell special people what qualities make them so special.
Another part of thankful for your love is rewarding and pampering yourself. So decide what it is that gives you the most pleasure. Is it chocolate ice cream? Watching a romantic or scary movie? Getting a massage or pedicure? Buying new designer shoes? Taking a nap in the middle of the day? Reading a book? Buying yourself the Hope Diamond or Princess vibrator? You decide and then put it into action. In order to love yourself, you must consider yourself worthy of rewards.
It pays to take your needs seriously. So, take this opportunity to do special things for yourself that you may have postponed. Get to know you better and pamper yourself because you deserve it. Any love you experience beyond that will only be greater.
A good exercise is to stand in front of a full-length mirror, look at yourself from head to toe and admire every part of what you see. If a negative thought comes into your mind such as, “I’ve put on weight and don’t like my body,” replace it with two thankful positive thoughts like, “I’m grateful for my healthy hair and I love my smile.”
Saying positive daily affirmations can help to manifest them, so go ahead and say out loud, “I love myself” or “I’m a great catch.” It’s amazing how positive reinforcement works on the brain releasing feel good hormones like Serotonin. When you think of something good, you will automatically feel great and then inevitably look good producing a sense of wellbeing. In other words, “Conceive it, believe it and you will achieve it.”
It is never too late to begin creating more loving memories with the people you care most about, so here’s your opportunity to love yourself and others like never before and be thankful for your love.
Have a happy and loving Thanksgiving.
