LOVE YOURSELF -LOH #250

I was thinking about loving myself and embracing who I am and the preaching my pastor gave about love as a Christian. I was looking for what to post today and I saw today's prompt on #ladiesofhive. And I'm thankful because it aligned with my thoughts since yesterday's church service.

I was someone who never knew love. Infact, I don't know what love means because I grew up surrounded by people who didn't know what love is. The only things they taught me were about money, hate, betrayal and distrust. I was thinking about how life flows, and whether it's all about money. Reflecting on my upbringing, I noticed I lacked love, which is why nothing seems to matter to me. I saw love as foolishness, something dangerous and a weakness. I noticed my heart was as cold as ice. I find it so hard to love and trust anyone.

I judge people based on their flaws and past experiences rather than truly seeing them. And I guess that I started seeing it in myself, Judging myself and not truly seeing myself which holds me back from moving forward. I judge myself harshly based on my mistakes, often speaking negatively to myself and doubting myself alot. I feel like I'm not good enough.

I don't accept myself for who I am. I don't prioritize my own needs or health. I suppress my feelings and don't express them. I don't express because I see vulnerability as a weakness. I don't discuss my feelings with others, fearing they'll use it against me. I've never considered investing in myself or pursuing things I truly love. I feel like I've closed the door to love in my heart, and I keep feeling empty inside me. When you don't love yourself, you trend to compare yourself with others without realizing it and feeling inferior without knowing everyone's journey is different.

Yesterday, which was Sunday, my pastor talked about love. It clicked in my mind and I told myself I don't have any love in me. I asked myself: if I can't love myself and embrace who I am, can I truly fall in love with someone one-day? That's when I heard a voice that spoke to me in church when I finished asking myself that question and the voice said "It's because your love life is dead. The only way you can start loving again is if you start loving yourself first. If you open your heart and see how unique you are, you'll realize you're a beautiful soul." There's a guy I don't like in the church due to his past experiences. That same voice spoke to me, telling me I should greet him after church. Before I could make a move, he surprisingly greeted me first and I responded warmly. The voice also advised me to focus on self- love and personal growth.

I shared with my sister about the voice that spoke to me in church. My sister said "isn't this the same thing I've always been telling you, thank God for the voice that spoke to you in church, atleast I'm not the only one who keep talking about your love life." She told me to open up my heart because when I start loving myself, I can learn to love others and accept their flaws. This way, when I get married. it won't be a huge issue. I should start now to understand what love is, learn about it and welcome it into my life.

READING MY BIBLE AND EXPRESSING MY FEELINGS

I started reading my Bible, focusing on the book of proverbs, and other Bible verses that talk about love. I express my feelings by letting them out. I'm beginning to do what I love most. I've stopped judging people and instead accept them for who they are. When we make mistakes, we correct them and move forward. I've started valuing myself and ready to invest more in my personal growth.

COMPLIMENTING MYSELF DAILY

I look in the mirror and tell myself I'm beautiful, fearfully and wonderfully made. I love my height, and I'm unique. I don't need to compare myself to others because we're all different. Everyday, I look in the mirror to compliment myself.

PRIORITIZING OUR HEALTH AND SURROUNDING OURSELVES WITH POSITIVE PEOPLE

Drinking plenty of water, getting my beauty sleep and stimulating my mind. Surrounding myself with people that are filled with positive energy and accept me for who I am. I'm focus on being my authentic self, without changing to fit someone else's expectation.

MY DREAMS AND GOALS

Because of self-doubt and losing sight of my goals and dreams, I'm now thinking big again. I'm taking bold steps one at a time and loving myself to keep going higher.

FIND WHAT GIVES US PEACE

The mind is very powerful and can sometimes present thoughts that seem true but aren't. Satan can use those moments to speak to us and make us believe lies about our identity. We need to understand the power of our minds. When my mind feels disturbed, I find inner peace by taking a walk to clear my mind or listening to music, which calms my mind and brings it back to love.

JUDGING OTHERS

I've learned to stop judging others and start putting myself first. Judging others often reflects our own character, but when we stop judging and accept their flaws, we learn to love them for who they are and this allows us to genuinely celebrate others.

"LOVE YOURSELF FIRST AND EVERYTHING FALLS IN LINE. YOU REALLY HAVE TO LOVE YOURSELF TO GET ANYTHING DONE IN THIS WORLD" - Lucile Ball