Mistakes

__________________________________________________________________________________


We all make mistakes and we all feel vulnerable at one time or another. The good thing about mistakes is that we can learn from them. Growth comes from learning and learning leads to empowerment.

I have made many mistakes in my life, and I am not so arrogant that I believe I am done making them. Some mistakes can not be reversed and you are left to either dwell on them or learn from them and move forward. Life is all about moving forward. Looking back, in my experience, is not a very healthy direction to look. You may not be able to go back and change the course of the things you did, that you regret, but you can start, from this very moment on, to mend the relationships that might have been affected.

Most people are very forgiving. It is human nature to want to forgive. What usually gets in the way of that forgiveness is hurt. Hurt is a very deep and real emotion that requires time to heal. You may not have meant to hurt someone, and would never intend to do that, but sometimes, we get so caught up in our own lives, that we aren't even aware we are hurting others. You can hurt someone with the things you say, the things you do, the things you don't say and the things you don't do. Once the hurt is there, you must first, be honest with yourself, and second, be honest with those you have hurt.

Mistakes that have affected your own life are a little different. Most of the time, when you make a decision, it is because you truly believe it will be a positive change. Unfortunately, it isn't until that decision is final, that you may realize it was not a positive change. So, what do you do now? Well, you can live with that decision, punish yourself and be miserable the rest of your life, or, you can make another decision to move forward and do something else. Your life is all about moving forward. If you make 100 wrong choices that lead you to that 1 right choice, those "mistakes" weren't mistakes at all. They were the learning experiences needed to promote growth and get you to the place you were trying to get to.

Keep moving forward. Keep learning from your mistakes. Keep searching until you get where you want to be.

___________________________________________________________________________________

How To Love Yourself

Stop All Criticism - Criticism never changes a thing. Refuse to criticize yourself. Accept yourself exactly as you are. Everybody changes. When you criticize yourself, your changes are negative. When you approve of yourself, your changes are positive.

Don't Scare Yourself - Stop terrorizing yourself with your thoughts. It's a dreadful way to live. Find a mental image that gives you pleasure (mine is yellow roses), and immediately switch your scary thought to a pleasure thought.

Be Gentle And Kind And Patient - Be gentle with yourself. Be kind to yourself. Be patient with yourself as you learn the new ways of thinking. Treat yourself as you would someone you really loved.

Be Kind To Your Mind - Self hatred is only hating your own thoughts. Don't hate yourself for having the thoughts. Gently change your thoughts.

Praise Yourself - Criticism breaks down the inner spirit. Praise builds it up. Praise yourself as much as you can. Tell yourself how well you are doing with every little thing.

Support Yourself - Find ways to support yourself. Reach out to friends and allow them to help you. It is being strong to ask for help when you need it.

Be Loving To Your Negatives - Acknowledge that you created them to fulfill a need. Now, you are finding new, positive ways to fulfill those needs. So, lovingly release the old negative patterns.

Take Care Of Your Body - Learn about nutrition. What kind of fuel does your body need to have optimum energy and vitality? Learn about exercise. What kind of exercise can you enjoy? Cherish and revere the temple you live in.

Mirror Work - Look into your eyes often. Express this growing sense of love you have for yourself. Forgive yourself looking into the mirror. Talk to your parents looking into the mirror. Forgive them too. At least once a day say: "I love you, I really love you."

Love Yourself .. Do It Now - Don't wait until you get well, or lose the weight, or get the new job, or the new relationship. Begin now -- and do the best you can.

-- Louise L. Hay Educational Institute
Creating a world where it's safe for us to love each other.