Four, Five and Six of Twelve Commandments of Self-Love and Appreciation–

4)  ‘Be Gentle, Be Kind, and be Patient with Yourself”–We are unlearning and releasing some habits acquired. In the process of cooperating with the Divine law of love inside me, I am harmonizing with self-love and self-appreciation by letting go of thoughts that hinder and belittle and taking on loving thoughts to support a healthy self-assurance and love within myself. I follow up by acting from love and appreciation of self. Further, my first response to others is to love them as they are and in how they are acting. This takes practice and relying on a spiritual strength within my being. 

In order to reveal more of the love of God within myself toward self and others, I make room by shedding any thinking and feeling unlike love and appreciation of self. In addition, I quit doing things that do not agree with my inner core belief of loving who I am. Also, I acknowledge how far I have come in healthy recovery of any unloving attitudes about myself. I apply the same to my loved ones and those that frequent my life.

What helps me is meditation on Love, specifically opening up in prayerful quiet to the love of God, a pristine love already stored and available within me and in my prayer and meditation. I take time in prayer pausing to feel Divine Love. Pure love responds and grounds me in loving consciousness, healing and restoring me from inside out.

5) ‘Be Kind to Your Mind’–If a negative comes up about a memory of self doubt or failure. Perhaps it is a memory when you felt unloved.

First respond to the memory and unloving thought or feeling with respect. It was in the past and only a memory–not the truth of the present moment. Be kind right then and there in the face of any negation of self-love. Wisk it from your mind with a sweep of a mental dust cloth. Affirm God’s perfect love for you that is with you from all time.

In addition, feel love by bringing up a recent memory when a friend, neighbor, co-worker, loved one or pet loved you and showed it through words, an action, gift, or in some other way. The point is you felt their sincere love for you. Remember and feel the love shown to you. Affirmation: I live in the dwelling-place of love inside of me, surrounding and enfolding me. I know love more fully throughout my entire self. I love and value myself and it shows up in grace-filled and immediate ways.  

6) ‘Praise Yourself’–“I was once afraid of people saying, ‘who does she think she is?’ Now I have the courage to stand and say ‘this is who I am.'” Oprah. We develop inner confidence and strength to be our authentic self through praise. The opposite (self criticism) tears down and dissolves inner confidence. Compliment and commend yourself. Congratulate yourself frequently for the good effort, achievement, and success. Even in the face of loss or failure. Compliment yourself for facing it and most important, learning from our efforts even when they don’t turn out as planned.

Therefore applauding oneself in the good and the less than good times of our lives is healthy and creates wealth of spirit. It is literally strengthening to praise ourselves, something and someone–things dance for joy with praise.

Affirming: I am grateful for things going well. Even when they have not–I stay well and give myself plenty of encouragement. In small accomplishments, for effort given, and in big wins I celebrate myself. I love who I am and celebrate wholeness within and glowing outward, Amen.

Notation of credit: The Series is based on the twelve tenets of loving oneself by Louise Hay.