Mastering the Art of Self-Love: A Man's Guide to Inner Strength and Fulfillment

As I began to love myself I recognized that my mind can disturb me and it can make me sick. But as I connected it to my heart, my mind became a valuable ally. Today I call this connection “WISDOM OF THE HEART”. ~Exerpt from Charlie Chaplin

I recently came across a handout from Louise Hay regarding self love. You might ask, why is self love so important? Well, if we can't love yourself first how are you going to love anyone else? Also we can learn how to treat others by the way we treat ourselves. Self love means that you accept yourself fully, treat yourself with kindness and respect and nurture your growth and wellness.

So how do you love yourself?

First thing you want to do is, is be kind to your mind.

That means changing the thoughts and self talk that are that are negative and replace them with positive thoughts and self talk. I like to ask myself would I say the same things to someone that I love that I’m saying to myself. If the answer is no, then I need to clean up my self talk.

So stop criticizing, It never changes anything.

Accept yourself exactly the way you are right now. That doesn't mean that you don't have things that you need to change or work on. Tell yourself that this is the best I can be right now but I can be better.

Take care of your body with proper nutrition, hydration and exercise.

So how do you get started?

First, you can identify one thing that you can do for yourself today. Take action, schedule time to relax and reflect, take a walk, journal. Before I go to bed I put in writing three things that I'm grateful for in my gratitude journal.

Write down when and what you're going to do. Make a commitment by writing it down with pen and paper. As you begin to expand self loving thoughts and actions self defeating thoughts and actions cannot survive anymore.

Embracing self-love is not a journey of arrogance but a pilgrimage towards authenticity and fulfillment. By cultivating a deep and genuine affection for yourself, you unlock the door to a more resilient and joyful existence. As men, we often carry the weight of societal expectations, but it's crucial to remember that self-love is not a luxury—it's a necessity. In the pursuit of your goals, improving your relationships, and overall well-being, continually prioritize the most crucial relationship of all—the one we have with yourself. Allow self-love to be the compass guiding you towards a life rich in purpose, contentment, and genuine happiness.