Valuing and Appreciating Yourself

You yourself, as much as anybody in the universe deserve your love and affection.
Buddha

How do you treat yourself? Do you take time to nourish your physical and spiritual needs? If you can answer "yes" to these questions, then I know that you value and appreciate YOU just as you are. So often, however, as women, we spend most of our lives trying to please everyone else, making sure that all of their needs are met before our own. Do you even know what your own needs are? Sometimes it takes a rather drastic wake-up call, such as a personal illness, an injury or an emotional breakdown for us to even allow ourselves the right to do something special that feeds our own soul.

Why is it so hard for some of us to realize that unless we fill our own tanks first, we will not have any energy or internal resources to offer to others? Even on an airplane the message is for the adult to put on her own oxygen mask first before assisting others.
I can't tell you how many times I have heard women tell me that they feel guilty about spending time or money on some personal fitness or downtime activities for themselves. What good are we to others if we don't look after ourselves?

Do you hold yourself to higher standards than you expect from others? Are you your own worst critic? If you had a friend who talked to you like you sometimes talk to yourself, would you continue to hang around that person? Give yourself a break. Get off that pedestal of perfection. We need to stop trying to be the general managers of the Universe and just accept ourselves as part of the human race with all our frailties and imperfections. Adopt the concept of "good enough". Learn to accept yourself just as you are right now in whatever circumstances you might find yourself. Relax and be kind to yourself.

We must begin to value and appreciate ourselves. When we begin to love and accept ourselves, we will start to take better physical care of ourselves, and make sure that we have time to nourish our souls. In addition, the more self appreciation we have, the more we will become aware when others are taking advantage of our good will or are treating us with disrespect. When we truly value ourselves, we will not tolerate any physical or emotional abuse from any other human being, child, spouse, friend or family member. We teach others how to treat us. If we have little respect for ourselves, others will act likewise. When we deny our magnificence, we give others permission to do the same. No one can make you feel inferior without your permission. Making yourself a priority is not a sin! It’s an absolute must if you ever hope to live out your own passion and purpose in life and give back to others.


We cannot be a source of strength unless we nurture our own strength.
M. Scott Peck

Permission for reprint of this article is given with the inclusion of this statement:
Barb Ashcroft offers Journey to Seminars and private consultation for those who want to think more positively, discover their true passions, and feel fully alive. She may also be booked for professional speaking engagements. Contact Barb 905 814-6434 barb@barbashcroft.com