As I started to Love myself

As I started to love myself

I learned to listen to my emotions

And sit with them 

Allowing them to serve as my guides 

And direct me toward what was in alignment with me 

And away from what was not.

Today, I call this authenticity.

 

As I started to value myself

I learned to value my time and energy

And farewell the people, situations and experiences from my life that failed to respect them.

Today, I call this setting boundaries. 

 

As I started to respect myself

I learned to take action that was in alignment with my highest vision for myself and my life that was meaningful and purpose-driven.

Today, I call this focus.

 

As I started to listen to myself

I learned to quieten the sea of surrounding voices proclaiming to know what was best for me 

And listen to the voice within me. 

Today, I call this intuition. 

 

As I started to take care of myself 

I learned to notice all of the subtle ways I failed to do so in the past and sabotaged myself and my health, wellbeing and progress

In order that I may correct them.

Today, I call this self-awareness. 

 

As I started to understand myself

I learned to make peace with my past and my flaws and insecurities 

Being aware of them, but not over-identifying with them

Understanding that they make up only a small aspect of my entire being.

Today, I call this self-acceptance.

 

As I started to appreciate myself 

I learned to appreciate my gifts, strengths and talents 

And find ways to creatively share them.

Today, I call this self-expression.

 

As I started to believe in myself

I learned to believe in my potential 

And in the beauty of my hopes and dreams.

Today, I call this self-confidence. 

 

As I started to trust in myself 

I learned to trust that everything in my life was unfolding as it should 

And learned to redirect my focus toward that which was within my control 

And away from that which was not.

Today, I call this faith. 

 

And as I started to forgive myself 

I learned to release all of the pain, shame, guilt, anger and sadness I had been previously carrying

And set myself free.

Today, I call this healing. 

 

Inspired from the poem “When I Loved Myself Enough”.