Passionate Theme of the Day: Self-Love

“I don’t like myself, I’m crazy about myself” ~Mae West

1) What one thing could you commit to doing each day that showed YOU – you’re crazy about you? Pick one daily self-loving habit and stick to it. It reinforces to your subconscious that above all the other responsibilities and distractions in your life, you put yourself first. 

“The most terrifying thing is to accept oneself completely” ~Carl Jung

2) It’s easy to dig on ourselves when we’re feeling good. How can we accept ALL of colors and moods? Even on the days we’re visiting Funky-town (as I recently did). My friend Robert over at Coach Web said about living passionately, “I suppose the distinction is feeling truly alive vs. simply feeling good.”

How can we remember it’s OK to BE whatever we are from day to day, from moment to moment without placing so much judgment around it? (I commit to cherish ALL my Many Colored Days).

“To love oneself is the beginning of a life-long romance” ~Oscar Wilde

3) Why do we look outside of ourselves for love? What if we fell in love with ourselves first? I know, it sounds WOO-WOO. But think about it. Even if we’re in a relationship. How much better could our relationships with others be if we loved, cherished, nurtured ourselves first, the way we want others to love, cherish and nurture us?

Wouldn’t we then be living by example? Wouldn’t we then be showing others how to treat us? How can you romance yourself each day? (I commit to romancing the pants off myself. Did I just say that? Yeowza! That’s hot stuff! I’ll leave love-notes to myself on the bathroom mirror).

“You must love yourself before you love another. By accepting yourself and fully being what you are, your simple presence can make others happy.” ~Anonymous

4) What makes us think we need to be a second rate version of someone else vs. a first rate version of ourselves? Where did we get the notion that if we had a bod like Jessica Alba, a face like Angelina, sex appeal like Scarlett Johansen we’d be better? I’ve got a quirky/goofy/dorky side and I’m beginning to really OWN it.

Why? Because it makes me – ME. And no one else has got that! What unique qualities do you have that you could fully own, and by accepting that make others fall in love with you even more? Pin-point those qualities and work it!

“Above all, be true to yourself, and if you cannot put your heart in it, take yourself out of it.” ~Anonymous

5) How much time to we spend living life following someone else’s path? Are you fully living and expressing YOUR dreams, goals, aspirations? Or are you simply following what your parents, friends, siblings, spouse, society tells you you should be?

If your heart isn’t in your creative endeavors, relationships, jobs, friendships – take yourself OUT of them! Let’s commit to pursuing those things that really light us up. What one thing would you START doing today if you STOPPED doing something you’re just not that into?

“Be yourself, don’t take anyone’s shit, and never let them take you alive.” ~Gerard Way

6) Seriously. If someone else has a problem with who you’re dating/mating, where you work, how you style your hair or what kinds of clothes you wear, that’s their problem. Just be true to YOU and let the rest GO.

Don’t spend anymore time or energy trying to convince others that your way is the right way. It’s right because it’s right for YOU. It doesn’t have to be right for them. Respect them and let them do it their way too. How can you keep being you and honor where others are too?

“It’s not about being PERFECT. It’s about being PASSIONATE.” ~ Kammie K.

7) Ahh yes. The perfectionista problema. As regular readers may know, I am a recovering perfectionista. I’m turning that around and now calling myself a Professional Passionista. I spent several years being a “People Pleaser”. Suffering from the “Good Girl Syndrome”. Otherwise known as a “Control Freak”. And sometimes referred to as “Little Ms. Perfect”. How might we let ourselves off the proverbial hook if we just said, “Screw Perfect!” It doesn’t exist.

We chain our wings down and imprison ourselves in little cages when we try to be this non-existent thing called PERFECT. What if we simply lived passionately? Whatever we’re passionate about each moment. It could be building a business. Writing a novel. Cooking a great meal. Listening to live music. Or it could be vegging on the couch. Chillin’ with our pets. It might be eating that piece of candy when we’ve committed to a healthy lifestyle and not beating ourselves up over it.

This one is close to my heart as I see SO many beautiful people, especially women try to squeeze themselves into the mold of someone else. Not just physically, but psychologically and emotionally as well. Let’s open up our arms and wrap them around ourselves. Let’s give us a BIG hug just for BEING who we are. Perfectly im-perfect.

What if we got up each day and simply said “Thank you” for who we ALREADY are? Yes, we might want to lose 20 lbs. Sure we might wish we had that degree. OK, maybe we want that promotion. But we’re pretty freakin’ alright-alright right where we are. It will take time. And energy. And commitment. And drive. To get to the finish line with our goals.

But each time we beat ourselves up for not being “there” yet, we subscribe to the “Little Ms. Perfect Syndrome”. Everything will happen in its own Divine right time. There is NO more perfect time than right NOW. Let’s commit to not missing anymore NOW’s because we’re psychologically whipping ourselves for not getting it done this way or that way. Deal?

Now get out there and let the LOVE flow!! Look in the mirror and blow yourself some kisses. Throw yourself a wink in the rearview. Put on your fancy pants and shake yo bad-ass on the dance floor. Treat yourself to your favorite restaurant AND order dessert.

Work the room. Work your office. Work your yoga class. Put some spring in your step. A twinkle in your eye. And some sass in your smile. People will wonder what you’re up to. If they ask if you’re in love - tell them, “You bet your ass I am!” And YOU deserve every bit of it.

Mucho Luvo,
Kam-a-licious