* Ten Steps to Loving Yourself by Louise Hay

January 20, 2003

" TEN STEPS TO LOVING YOURSELF "

1) 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.

2) 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.

3) BE GENTLE, KIND, AND PATIENT. Be gentle with yourself. Be patient

with yourself as you learn the new way of thinking. Treat yourself as

you would someone you really loved.

4) 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.

5) 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.

6) 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.

7) 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.

8) 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.

9) MIRROR WORK. Look into your eyes often. Express the growing sense

of love you have for yourself. Forgive yourself while looking into

the mirror. Talk to your parents while looking into the mirror.

Forgive them, too. At least once a day say, " I love you; I really

love you. "

10) 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.

These ten steps were written by Louise L. Hay, in her book

called, " Letters to Louise " , published by Hay House Inc., copyright

1999.

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