The Beginning and The End

There is only one person who will be by your side at the beginning of your life and at the end of your life - You.

There is only one person by your side who will witness all of your pain, your success and your challenges - you .

There is only one person who experiences all of your loves and your heartaches - you.

There is only one person who feels the emotions, the highs and the lows and everything in between as you travel along this journey of your life - you.

There is only one person who knows your truths and the lies you let yourself believe - you.

However, we are the most critical of ourselves, we notice all of our flaws, we constantly speak negatively about ourselves and we allow us to be accepting of the negativity that is passed onto us by family, friends and peers.

When was the last time you looked in the mirror and spoke of self praise. I'm pretty sure the last conversation that you had with the image that stares back from your mirror is - "ohhh no ", " another wrinkle", or " OMG why are my eyes so saggy?", " How did I get to be this old?" the list goes on and on dissecting our insecurities, insecurities placed on us by others.

We have no problem telling our partners, friends, children, even our peers that we love them, yet to love ourselves we find it so difficult. Why is that ?

Self love is not conceited. Self love is an appreciation of all that we are, all that we should be proud of. No one can love us more than we love ourselves.

How do we explain love? It is not a feeling, you can't hold it, nor physically give it away. It is not something you can touch, yet it can touch your heart, but we know it exists. We fall into it and fall out of it, it gives pleasure and pain yet we are unable to explain it.

For me love is a reflection. A reflection of what we show to one another. Therefore the importance of self love is undeniable. If we want to feel that deep love from another person then we without a doubt must first feel that depth of love for ourselves.

What makes you feel loved?

• Is it a gift of flowers or scent?

• Is it a personal touch?

• Is it a good deed?

• Is it a compliment?

• or simply just time spent with someone special?

We make ourselves believe that we need another to provide all of the above, when we don't receive it, we feel unloved, uncared for, the truth is, we do not need anyone else to fulfill our desires.

We can give all of the above to ourselves and feel just as loved. If we give these things to ourselves, our confidence grows, we express love , self love which in turn has the mirror effect and attracts the people towards us that will bring us all the joy, love and care that we ultimately desire.

xx Lei

SELF RESPECT, SELF WORTH AND SELF LOVE, ALL START WITH SELF. STOP LOOKING OUTSIDE OF YOURSELF FOR YOUR VALUE - Rob Liano