If you appreciate The Work by Byron Katie, you may really enjoy listening to the December Co=Creation Cafe call (free 1 hr monthly calls that I release the first Saturday of each month). Joel Young is the guest for that show, and having taught both The Journey (Brandon Bays) and The Work in London, he shares his discovery of NPA. It’s amazingly effective (I had a response *during* and right after the recording.) What is NPA? Have a listen: http://www.affirmingspirit.com/Co=CreationCafe/ccc_archive.htm

Many blessings,
Nancy

And my work in my personal life right now is very much about creating boundaries that nurture my relationships with others, allowing in and out the love and affirmations but setting limits on any kind of aggression or hatefulness. But I do agree that there are times when someone does something once and I need to give them another chance.

warmly,
Erika

What I love about reading all of these lists is that I can relate to all of them on some level. And the thing is: There is NO right/wrong answer to how we show ourselves that we matter. Whatever works for us IS the right choice. Just becoming *aware* that we do not have to do or be anything that doesn’t feel good to us is a huge revelation for many.

Many blessings,
Nancy

I’ve recently cleared some blocks around speaking my truth and Being me, and since then, I’ve meditated more often, and been able to speak more of what I feel. It has been a way for me to express my self-love.

I participate in self-love by meditating, practicing gratitude, exercising, stretching, taking naps when I feel like it, and doing what I feel called to do (instead of working my way through my to-do list when I’m not being called to do those things)

Thanks for the post and I love reading these posts and sharing my ideas with you.

Have a blessed week and Thanksgiving!

PEACE

Jared James

@Sheila, thank you for your comment ~ I am honored that you enjoy these posts enough to visit often, but even more that you find re-reading the posts beneficial to you. That’s wonderful, and I appreciate you sharing that sentiment!

Many blessings to you both!
Nancy

But anyhow, what I like about you is the fact that your posts are so good that I can come back and reread them when I need/have too. And this one is great!
sheila´s last blog ..Envy – What to do with it.

I love that you state, “Think of how you feel when you love a pet, a child, or a good friend” as I have said those same words to clients to help them get a sense of what it is like to feel love for themselves. Some people just have no idea what that feels like. Giving them that suggestion helps them immensely.

That seems to go hand in hand with ” Consciously choosing supportive thoughts/beliefs (affirmations, visualizations)” as I find that these same people tend to judge themselves rather harshly. This is especially true with my clients who have had challenging childhoods. Rather than receiving acknowledgment and encouragement, they were criticized and made to feel flawed in some way. Now as adults they unconsciously set impossible standards for themselves thereby setting themselves up for disappointment and feelings of failure.

One suggestion that helped me out many years ago when I was in therapy is to write a letter of self-appreciation. In this letter you list all your positive qualities no matter how small or insignificant it may seem. This helps people to see the “good” in themselves.

Self-nurturing activities that I like in particular are spa treatments, taking walks in nature, listening to soothing music, reading a good book, hanging out with my husband and just generally taking time to relax.

Of course, I also LOVE dark chocolate. Just a small amount is all I need for an immediate good feeling boost.

Light & blessings,
Susan

As with so many things, it is a lifetime’s journey of constant evolution that begins first with the awareness that you are mistreating yourself in some way, followed by an intention to change, and backed up with attention and action in that direction.

Love how you worded that, and it is true wisdom. In order to do better, we must first notice and then *know* better.

Many blessings,
Nancy

I have become very aware of the inner golden child in me through my work with expressive arts. When I catch myself verbally or otherwise abusing myself, I think of that innocent golden child and know that I would never choose to treat her that way.

Alternatively, I may think of my best friend and realize I’d be appalled to treat her the way I’m treating myself. As with so many things, it is a lifetime’s journey of constant evolution that begins first with the awareness that you are mistreating yourself in some way, followed by an intention to change, and backed up with attention and action in that direction.

Blessings,
Claire