The outside world – media, diet, beauty, gym, fashion and other industries tell us how to be “confident, sexy, successful, desirable…” They want us to “buy into” that negative stuff. But how often is the “outside world” actually telling us how amazing we and our bodies are, but we ignore, fob off or negate that message completely? Here are 3 ways we actually rob ourselves of improved confidence, self-esteem and that “I feel powerful in my body” feeling.
1. Someone pays us a compliment and we fob it off by refusing it, saying “no, that’s not true”, returning a similar compliment (which actually belittles what has been said to you!), or sidetracking and talking about where we bought the dress, got our hair cut or something else that sidesweeps how gorgeous or amazing YOU are. Start hearing and accepting compliments with a simple “thank you”.
2. We pay so much attention on our “goals” – be it goal weight, goal workout regime, goal “man or woman in our life”, goal dress size, goal achievement…which can often make us feel less successful, beautiful, sexy… if we “don’t achieve it”. Often our friends, family or others are encouraging us and praising us for the gradual steps we are taking…but we are deaf to that because only the “success of the goal” will be good enough. Open your ears (and heart) to the gentle encouragement about your progress and efforts and breakthroughs along the way.
3. We see “sickness” as bad. I prefer to honour that an outward sign of “sickness” means something is not OK internally – be it over-doing things, not honouring what I value, unexpressed emotions, unforgiveness, poor nourishment…. I don’t see it as sickness, so much as my body getting rid of “stuff” it doesn’t need or reminding me of what it does need. Start listening to your body’s external cues of “sickness” or health problems, to help you internally do the work you need to do. When you sit still, listen and ask your body for some answers, it will provide them!.
Here are 3 great questions to ask yourself today.
1. What compliment did I receive today? Yes there will be something – whether said or unsaid, verbal or written, by someone else or yourself, or spoken through an intuitive message?
2. What encouragement did I give myself today for steps and progress towards my goals?
3. What is my body telling me today?
Be discerning and selective of what the “outside world” tells you. Listen to the positive “voice” inside and out.