Like many of you, I was raised in a culture where I often witnessed self-criticism from those around me. Pointing out your flaws was far more socially acceptable than acknowledging your features. Bragging was seen as pompous, while negating yourself was normal. Knowing what I know now, that’s just backward!
Little kids are delightful. They brag about their art. They do an off-kilter cartwheel and land like an Olympic gymnast, arms outstretched with pride. They look around to see who saw them do something they’re proud of. They love acknowledgment, and they love to watch others do things well, too. That type of self-acknowledgment is natural, normal, and native to the soul. Little ones don’t care if they do something better than anyone else; they’re just proud of who they are. Nothing about them is pompous, arrogant, or off-putting. If anything, their pride in their actions and who they are is endearing.
We love people who truly are at one with themselves. They have an innocence and a natural charisma that makes you like them even if they’re different. This weekend, I went to an event and sat next to the most endearing young couple. It was clear they were at one with themselves and one another. The girl was covered in tattoos, wearing a low, long boho skirt and a crop top with a vintage coat. None of these were my style, but she was adorable. She explained her tattoos and their energetic and personal growth significance. Her boyfriend was kind and explained that he was working to embrace the things she was interested in but not as good at yet. They were so at ease with themselves, proud of who they were, and comfortable in their own skin. You couldn’t help but love them.
I had a wildly different experience a few weeks ago, with the only common denominator being the fact that a young man I ran across was so comfortable with himself—even in a state of profound discomfort—that you just had to love him. I went grocery shopping late at night, and as I went to the passenger side of my car to put the groceries in the car, I heard the most ungodly sounds coming from someone in the truck parked near the driver’s side. I was almost afraid to round the corner to get in, so I let the love lead. As I approached the source of what sounded like someone hurling demons from hell, I tentatively said, “Are you OK?” Expecting a person who looked as terrifying as he sounded, I was totally taken aback when a darling young man who obviously had way too much to drink lifted his head and gave me the most angelic grin I’d ever seen. It was as if his expression said, “Yeah, I know I’m better than this, and this was pretty stupid, but thanks for being nice to me!” “You’ll feel better soon,” I said, sent him some energy, and got in the car. Once on the road, I laughed till I nearly cried. Talk about self-acceptance vs. self-criticism! Even in that miserable state, he owned his condition, owned his goodness despite bad choices, and was endearing.
If that young man could acknowledge his goodness despite his unpleasant state of being, why can’t we? I know the answer. We can. We just have to learn new habits :). And the good news is that self-acknowledgment, self-appreciation, and self-acceptance always put you in a state of agreement with God, your angels, and your soul. Self-acceptance attunes you to love. It opens you up to the help you desire.
It may not come easily. We can’t fake it with words that we don’t feel. We have to choose it, own it, and feel it. When you can let yourself be yourself, be proud of yourself, or at least accept yourself, you are beginning to see yourself through the eyes of the Divine… and that is always a good and powerful perspective 🙂
Here are a few tips for self-acceptance and self-appreciation
1. Cultivate the habit of self-acknowledgment
Like any new habit, we have to start small. Start to find things that you feel you did well. Start to look for small things you did right. You poured that cup of coffee with precision. You made a good breakfast. You ate breakfast. You made it to work on time. You were kind to someone. You noticed the beautiful sunrise.
You don’t have to do this out loud. You can do it quietly. You can journal it. You can get a self-acknowle
2. Cultivate the habit of self-acceptance
The angels taught me this, and it is a powerful habit to embrace. When you catch yourself criticizing yourself, remember the name of God that he gave to Moses. “I am who I am.” Say to yourself, “In this moment, I am who I am, and that’s OK.”
You get frustrated. “In this moment, I am who I am, and that’s OK.”
You get sad. “In this moment, I am who I am, and that’s OK.”
You get snarky. “In this moment, I am who I am, and that’s OK.”
Of course, we want to do better, but while criticism holds us bound to what we’re focusing on in the past, self-acceptance frees you to do better as you move forward.
3. Challenge yourself to talk about one thing you do well this week
Challenge yourself to be willing to talk about one thing you do well, and tell spirit you want a recognizable opportunity to do so when it can benefit all involved. Watch what happens. You’ll be around someone who needs insight into something you know well. You’ll see a comment on social media that you know you can help with. Some opportunity to share the good in you will arise. You don’t have to brag in the conventional sense. You aren’t pretending to be better than anyone. You’re just becoming like a child and owning something you do well for the purpose of uplifting others. Intend this and see what shows up 🙂
As we own our gift, we offer a lift!
I know most of us are far quicker to criticize ourselves than to acknowledge ourselves, but while self-criticism undermines our manifestations self-acknowledgment boosts them into high gear.
God loves you and accepts you. The angels love and accept you. Your soul loves and accepts you. Why disagree with those connected to love and the source, in whose eyes we are always perfect even as we expand into more?
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