By Bronwyn Ison
As our own worst critic, we are quick to recognize our shortcomings. A simple question… do you accept yourself as you are? Self-acceptance is looking introspectively. Accepting who you are, not trying to be someone other than yourself. Falsifying your own character is not being true to yourself or others. In other words, living a lie or a fantasy.
Did you know that accepting who we truly are, and all of our experiences, is the greatest gift and our direct route to happiness? One way to experience total acceptance of self is to open our hearts. There may be challenge found in this task by many. Why? We are conditioned from birth that love must come from someone or something outside us. We think it must be earned. If we were to seek inward rather than trying to obtain gratification from people, places or things, we can experience self-acceptance and reward.
Let’s take a look at the EGO. A healthy ego is acceptable. Yet, an aggressive ego can be the root of your personal destruction. The unchecked ego can and usually will reap a negative reaction and consequence to self and the one inflicted. Famous people are well known for struggling with egoism. Recently I heard a quote, “Fame is the wrong idea of who you are.” Certainly I am not discounting that one should display a positive opinion about one’s self. Keeping yourself in perspective and remaining humble will enable you from becoming overly proud of yourself.
Loving yourself is essential in your ability to love others. Self-acceptance is also another way of loving your self. Much of our conquest for love and self-acceptance is sought out as if they are commodities that can be acquired. Look around and listen… if I just had that car, house, job, then I would be happy. All of the commodities are transitory. The true crime of this desperation, we miss living in the present.
Live your life by experience. Do so without resistance, analysis, manipulation or control. Imagine how the quality of your life could change if you began to accept who you are. Bring more awareness to how you are living, what you are doing, and why you are engaging in such tasks.
Bringing awareness, acceptance and maintaining an open-heart will allow you to stay in the present. The quality of this experience alone can and will transform you from the inside out. Love will flourish within and self-acceptance can blossom. The more we accept our self, the more we will understand that we are the love we are seeking.
Love yourself wholeheartedly. You have everything to gain. Others will be attracted to you simply because you are genuine. It’s not what you gather, but what you scatter that reaps reward.
Bronwyn Ison is the owner of Evolve Yoga. www.e-volveyoga.com
(760)564-YOGA (9642) 50-991 Washington Street, La Quinta 92253
