HOW TO LOVE YOURSELF

1. STOP ALL CRITICISM.

Self criticism never changes a thing. Refuse to criticize yourself. Accept yourself exactly as you are. Everybody changes. When you criticize yourself, your changes are negative. When you approve of yourself, your changes are positive.

2. DON'T SCARE YOURSELF.

Stop terrorizing yourself with your thoughts. It's a dreadful way to live. Find a mental image that gives you pleasure (mine is yellow roses), or a positive affirmation, and immediately switch your scary thought to a pleasure thought.

3. BE GENTLE AND KIND AND PATIENT WITH YOURSELF.

Be gentle with yourself. Be kind and nurture yourself. Be extremely patient with with yourself as you learn your new ways of thinking. Treat yourself as you would someone you specially love.

4. BE KIND TO YOUR MIND.

Self hatred is only hating your own thoughts. Don't hate yourself for having the thoughts. Gently change your thoughts.

5. PRAISE YOURSELF.

Criticism breaks down the inner spririt. Praise builds it up. Praise and nurture yourself as much as you can. Tell yourself how well you are doing with every little improvement.

6. SUPPORT YOURSELF.

Find ways to support yourself. Reach out to friends and allow them to help you. It is being strong to ask for help when you need it.

7. BE LOVING TO YOUR NEGATIVES. Acknowledge that you created them to fulfill your need to survive as a child. Now you are finding new, positive ways to fulfill those needs. So, lovingly release old negative patterns/defenses.

8. TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY.

Learn about nutrition. What kind of fuel does your body need to have optimum energy and vitality? Learn about exercise. What do you like to do? Moderate exercise is good for the body and the soul. Cherish and revere the temple you live in.

9. MIRROR WORK.

Look into your eyes often. Express this growing sense of love you have for yourself. Forgive yourself while looking at yourself. Talk to your parents while looking into the mirror and forgive them, too. Say, out loud, to yourself, "I love you!, (Name), I really love you!"

10. LOVE YOURSELF. . .DO IT NOW.

Don't wait until. . .you get well, or lose the weight, or get the new job, or get into the new relationship. Begin now and do the absolute best you can.

(C) 1987, 1988 Louis L. Hay Educational Institute; 501 Santa

Monica Blvd, #602; Santa Monica, CA 90401 (213) 394­7445