How do you love yourself?

1. 83

   beckisgiftguidesposted 11 years ago

   How do you love yourself?
   
   How do you practice self-love, without being narcissistic?

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2. 69

   Tusitala Tomposted 11 years ago

   When you are a 'retiree' as I am it is easier to practice self-love than when one is working and trying, perhaps, to support a family.  The pressures are far more 'pressing' and the free time needed to enjoy yourself is harder to come by.   
   
   But I think allowing yourself to do the things you love doing is a form of loving yourself.  I'm sitting here at my computer answering this question.  I have answered hundreds of questions on Hubpages. I love doing it, so it is a form of self-love.
   
   But it goes further than that.   I pick out and try to answer questions so that my readers of these answers gain something from them: some knowledge, perhaps triggering some insight...helping them in some way.
   
   Not always, of course.  Sometimes I just do it to act 'smart,' and come from my ego.  But we all do this on occassion, I expect.
   
   I love myself by going to the gym two or three times a week to keep my body strong and flexible.  I eat nearly all the foods I like but I don't gorge myself into obesity.   I like a glass of wine and a beer but rarely get drunk.  I go to the movies and pick out movies that I really want to see.  And I read books I really want to read.
   
   I involve myself in group activities and subscribe to them, but do not take on rolls  that I don't want to do.   I'm courageous enough to say "no." 
   
   Oh, and when I think of it, I practice an exercise described by the famous American writer, Louise L Hay.  I look into the mirror and say, " I love you."
   Try it.   It's not being narcissistic.

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3. 44

   DDEposted 11 years ago

   You can love yourself by having confidence in what you do for yourself. Spoil yourself and feel good about it. Don't let yourself go make you the priority.  Meditate, get  a massage, be active daily, have  a social life and be with people who share the same interests. The way you dress and take  care of your appearance says it all.

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4. 69

   dashingscorpioposted 11 years ago

   The best way to love yourself is by treating yourself well. It is also good to make all of your decisions with complete awareness. Oftentimes we hurt ourselves when we don't consider the long-term consequences of our actions.

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5. 0

   Sri Tposted 11 years ago

   I agree with the eastern philosophers. They say completely over do it. Be totally intoxicated with love for yourself. Swami Muktananda said, be drunk with bliss. The ocean of love is within you. In fact, you cannot feel any other love but the love from inside of you.  Swami Nityananda said, worship yourself. Even Pythagoras said, above all things, revere yourself. If one could raise that kind of love from within, all the negativity in their consciousness and the negativity from others would completely disappear. They would live in a heaven on earth. That is one of the goals of the mystic.

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6. 77

   Shyron E Shenkoposted 11 years ago

   Hi Becki, for me it is knowing that God loves me unconditionally, so how could I do less?
   
   Gee!.... This is the hardest question I have ever tried to answer.
   
   I TRY to be true to myself and my  beliefs, and feed my soul, my mind and my body daily.  And I love myself.
   
   Then, I heard a quote: "To be pleased with one's self is the surest way of offending everyone else."
   
   And I still love myself!

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