Have you looked in the mirror lately?
Last week I talked about human connection and whether or not we actually know those in our life on a deeper level, that is a level underneath the surface. This week I want to talk about whether or not we actually know ourselves and if we do know ourselves what are the conversations we are having internally.
In a world that is driven by fame, money and fortune, we are so quick to compare our self to those we idolize. We are so quick to compare ourselves with their flawless lives and achievements. We are so quick to belittle ourselves for not being as successful or possessing what they have. Yet, I ask you this, would you ever belittle or ridicule your best friend for these so-called flaws or inadequacies. No, you wouldn't dare speak to your best friend the way you speak to yourself so why is it that we are so comfortable to bully ourself. When it comes down to it, we are all so incredibly unique, talented and different that the only person we should be striving to be is the best possible version of ourself. So in this week's edition of the 12-week journey to become your best self I'm going to share with you my perspective on self-love.
You see self-love as a word is one that different marketing and design agencies have taken and manipulated and defined in a way that will sell the most products. However, what self-love really is, what it means to actually love yourself is a completely different story. Self-love means to look in the mirror and love the person looking back at you. To embrace the dimple on your chin and be curious as to the colour of your eyes. It is to understand that the person looking back at you is doing the absolute best with what they have been handed in life.
We're told from a young age to treat people the way you would like to be treated, perhaps we have got this wrong for so long. My number one tip for embracing self and empathy towards yourself is this. We must treat ourselves the way we treat others, understanding that the way we speak to our self, we would never speak like that to another human being. So in an effort to practice and live into the true meaning of self-love, I encourage all of our community to spend some time each and every day highlighting and pinpointing what it is that makes you the incredible individual that you are.
Empathy is born out of vulnerability. To be able to show empathy to not only yourself but your entire community, you must first be vulnerable within yourself. You must remove the mask you have been wearing for so long, take off the heavy backpack off fear and embrace yourself for all your quirky and sensational features. Because act as Dr Seuss says, ‘Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is nobody alive, that is youre than you.’
How Good’s Living,
Matt Boyce
