When you look in the mirror, what do you see? Do you smile or do you turn your back on yourself? Do you sometimes wish your house was mirror-less?

How did your year end? Did you love yourself last year?

How is your new year beginning? Do you love yourself now?

“Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are.” Kurt Cobain

We’ve all heard the saying, “You have to love yourself before you can love others.”

It’s so easy to find faults with ourselves, whether they’re physical or results of something we said or did. Or maybe we’re just not smart enough. The list is ongoing. Most people doubt themselves at some time in their lives. Self-worth and self-esteem waver every so often. After all, we’re only human. We occasionally make choices that create an outcome making us wish we chose a different door.

“We torture ourselves incessantly, and for what purpose? Wouldn’t life be so much more fun, productive, and sexy if we fully embraced our magnificently delightful selves?” Jen Sincero 

Regarding physical appearance, we have screens of all sizes telling us how to be good-looking (for both women and men) and how to defy age. We learn that, instead of embracing laugh lines and those wonderful memories that caused them, they should be covered because looking young “forever” is what matters most. I suppose I’ll be an anomaly then because Botox or anything that requires a needle on the face is not an option for me. Of course, I’ve noticed changes that I’m not thrilled about, but it’s all a part of growing older, and between you and me, it’s the better alternative. I’ve had dear friends who were never given the chance to grow old. 

“There will never be anyone exactly like you. You were given special gifts and talents to share with the world, and even though everybody has special gifts and talents, nobody will use theirs quite the same way you do…You are the only you that will ever be. You are kind of a big deal.” Jen Sincero

So, if you’re struggling with yourself, choose to Forgive yourself. Don’t be so quick to beat yourself up. Accept who You are and Love Yourself. If you do all these things, then your outlook on the world and people around you will be so much brighter. You’ll be able to allow others into your circle and give them the authentic gift of Kindness, Compassion, and Love…the authentic gift of You!

“You’ll find that life is still worthwhile, if you just smile.” Charlie Chaplin

FORGIVE YOURSELF, LOVE YOURSELF, AND SMILE. ISN’T THIS A GREAT WAY TO START THE NEW YEAR?

~Lauren Scott
(All photos courtesy of Google)