You are special. Do you know that? I mean, really know that?
So many of us have been brought up to reject such statements about ourselves. We are taught that it’s wrong to love ourselves or to see ourselves as special. It’s considered arrogant, narcissistic and self-centred. We are taught to put others first – a teaching that is often made out of context and which creates a sense that we are somehow less than others.
And then there are those of us who are brought up with completely opposite, yet still misleading, teachings. We are taught that we are special and better than others because of circumstances. We are taught that we are special because we went to the ‘right’ schools, know the ‘right’ people or come from the ‘right’ socio-economic class, or the ‘right’ race or religion. We have been taught that our worth and value comes from external sources (education, who we know, class, race, etc.)
Well, here’s the thing. Loving yourself is not about being better than anyone else. It’s actually got nothing to do with comparing yourself to anyone else at all. And being special certainly doesn’t have anything to do with your circumstances – rich or poor, educated or not, your family, your social circles, your race or your religion.
Loving yourself is about recognising and celebrating your own uniqueness and your own gifts. It’s about accepting yourself, your personality traits, strengths and so called weaknesses, and being at peace in sharing them with the world.
Have you ever taken the time to sit down and write a list of your unique gifts? What about creating a list of the things that you recognise and love about yourself.
I remember the first time I did this exercise. It took me days and days and shedding many tears to note just a few lines on a page. It was a real struggle. But it was a really important exercise to do as it surfaced all the negative self-beliefs I held about myself. All those negative self-beliefs were what was holding me back. It was only after I had created my two lists – 10 things that makes me unique, and 10 things I love about myself – that I could actually move forward with pursuing my dreams with gusto.
So, go ahead and write up your own two lists:
- What are 10 things that makes me unique?
- What are 10 things that I love about myself?
Hmm. Not keen on doing this exercise? Ask yourself why. What’s behind the reluctance? Are you still not convinced that you are really that unique or worried that you won’t be able to identify anything to love?
Well, think about this. You, are unique. You were created as you. And you were created for a reason. You were created with your personality, your talents and your abilities because they are what is needed on this earth. You were no accident.
And do you know the odds of you being born you, at the time and place you were born?
Watch the video below and see that you just being here is a miracle.
You are meant to be here.
Now go and live the life you were created to live.
