Mindful Thoughts: Self-Esteem pt4

Welcome to day 4 of the 7 days of Self-Esteem

One of the key ingredients to healthy self esteem is the practice of self acceptance
That is because self acceptance helps us feel good about ourselves independent of our flaws, mistakes and failures. It helps us release our self judgments and embrace all facets of who we are.

Self acceptance is unconditional, so suddenly we are not reliant on our achievements and accolades to build our self worth, free from the pressure to constantly fix ourselves. 
We're being none-judgmental affirming our qualities and attributes, accepting our strengths and weaknesses.

Imagine how liberating it would feel if our happiness and self worth weren't depending on future oriented thoughts... like I be happy when...
or once I achieve this or that I see my self as successful.
Self acceptance allows us to be satisfied with who we are in the status of our live as it is because our self worth isn't based on conditions.

To be clear, with a healthy dose of self acceptance, we don't suddenly begin ignoring or denying our faults
or lose our motivation to grow.
But we can accept ourselves as we are regardless of our shortcomings, we don't have to wait for something to change before we can like ourselves.
The only thing we have to change is how we view ourselves.

The more we develop none judgmental acceptance through meditation the more instinctual it becomes 
in daily life.
Developing this quality takes practice and no change happens over night, 
much of our self critical and berating nature can go by unnoticed for years. 
The more we pay attention to our self talk the more we notice how hard we can be on ourselves.
So try paying attention to your level of self acceptance through the day or if you are constantly judging yourself.
Instead of telling yourself you must be successful to have self worth see what it feels like to drop your judgments, reminding yourself that your value isn't determined by your level of success.
All you can do is do your best and that is enough.

Take a moment to infuse your mind, body and heart with none- judgmental acceptance.
See if you can accept everything as it is in this moment, with all the aspects of who you are.

Be kind to yourself, turn critical negative thoughts about yourself around and replace them with kinder versions, accept all imperfections, life is perfection in all its imperfections. 

Forgive yourself for mistakes you think you made, forgive yourself if things don't change quickly enough. Believe in yourself, believe that you can do anything because you can. 

When you fall get up and keep going, failures are the best way to learn things about ourselves, figure out what motivates you by celebrating something you are bad at. 
Self acceptance happens in the now so let go of ruminating or regretting the past, let go of worry about the future trying to control things you can not control. 

Take a deep breathe and accept who you are in this very moment.
Look at yourself through the eyes of a dear friend, accepting you, just as you are, not as you think you are supposed to be.

You're worth it and you deserve to be happy!

What is self-acceptance?