Liking you begins with the ability to look in the mirror without turning away.
Liking you begins with the ability to look in the mirror without turning away. This is important because liking you starts with the mirror on the outside; accepting who you are, the way you are; however, it does not mean that you are satisfied with how you are now. We all have some bad habits and have done some things that we don’t want to talk about. If someone points it out or brings it up, we simply deny it. One thing about life is it will not stop just because you made a bad choice. Liking yourself is when you have built up enough strength to stop being angry with yourself. Negative choices can develop a stronghold that won’t allow you to view yourself in a positive light. Do not allow yourself to get caught up in that moment.
Liking and loving yourself can be difficult when others don’t want you to be free. That’s why it is important to know the things that you are accountable for as opposed to things for which you are not accountable as it relates to your life.
Love Yourself
Loving yourself is when you can look in the mirror (on the inside of you) and accept the image that’s being reflected (the good, the bad, or the ugly). You embrace it without concerning yourself with the negative opinions of others. Understand that “those who are closest to you may feel the most qualified to know what is best for you without ever considering your God-ordained purpose. They may even view you through the eyes of preconceived judgments based on what they think you to be, rather than who God is making you now.”
Ronda Burns, the author of The Secret made this powerful statement, “To love yourself you must fully focus on a new dimension of you. You must focus on the presence on the inside of you. As you focus on this presence within, it will begin to reveal itself to you.” One of the ways God reveals His presence to you is through His love:
(v.4) Love is patient; love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. (v.5) It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. (v.6) Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. (v.7) It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres (1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV).
Liking and loving yourself can be difficult when others don’t want you to be free. That’s why it is important to know the things that you are accountable for as opposed to things for which you are not accountable as it relates to your life.
Things You Are Accountable For:
· Your attitude and disposition.
· Your conduct and behavior.
· Your actions: (Do you respond or react?)
· Your boundaries: (What standards do you have?)
· What you say and to whom you say it.
· Knowing the power of your words.
· If and how you express your emotions.
· Who your friends are: (visitors, guests, or covenant partners.)
· Where you live (city, country, uptown or downtown)
· Your career or job.
· What you do for entertainment.
· Your values and your belief system: (What do you believe?)
· What family members you stay connected to.
· What you do for personal growth and improvements.
· What are your eating habits?
Regardless of what someone else says or does, you are accountable for your attitude, actions and behavior. Liking and loving yourself is a part of controlling your internal thoughts, beginning the process of knowing who you are as it relates to you first and others second. It’s hard to be happy when you allow others to control your actions, attitudes and behavior. Remember: You are the Key!