-Buddha
You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.
-Kahlil Gibran
The one who gives is the one who receives the most.
=From the Bible, Acts 20:35 (King James Version)
Christmas and Holiday season … a time for giving. We spend lots of time trying to get the ‘best’ present for each person on our list. But…
Who’s missing from your gift list?
YOU!
If there is only one lesson you learn this entire year, it’s this: You are the most important person in your entire universe. Your entire life is lived through your eyes, your interactions with the world and those around you, your thoughts and how you interpret events, relationships, actions and words.
You might just be another person in the grand scheme of things, but when it comes to your understanding of reality, only you matter!
Your reality depends on how much you love and take care of you.
Your relationship with yourself is the defining factor in shaping the quality of life you live.
When you give to yourself, you have more to offer others. Studies show that people healthier when they are inclined toward kindness, patience, and other kinds of positive behavior.
There are opportunities each day to offer yourself simple impactful gifts.
Here are some gifts you should give to yourself
Good health. This goes for your body and your mind. They're both inextricably linked. Find a fitness routine that you love, eat healthy and always keep in tune with your emotions.
Love. Allow yourself to love and be loved. We're built for affection -- even if it's hard, even if it means getting hurt. Vulnerability is challenging, but it’s worth it.
Select Your friends. Life's too short to spend it with people who bring negative energy into your life. Do yourself a favor by filling your life with relationships that lift your spirits and inspire you to be the best version of yourself.
Uncertainty. The only guarantee in life is that there are no guarantees. The sooner you give yourself permission to go outside your comfort zone, you will realize just how brave you really are and experience the magic that can sometimes happen.
A meaningful career. You spend the majority of your waking hours during the week at your job. That's a lot of misery if your creative, emotional and intellectual needs aren't being met. You're too precious to be applying your assets toward something that isn't fulfilling your passions.
A positive attitude. There's power in looking on the bright side, no matter what your circumstances. Positive people are healthy people.
Kindness. Express compassion, especially toward yourself. Research shows there are so many health benefits, whether it's accepting yourself or being kind to others. Kindness is the gift that keeps on giving because it makes the world a better place.
Take a Risk. Give yourself the gift of following your dreams, your heart and your mind. Go after your desires wholeheartedly and unbiasedly. You deserve it!
Faith. Whether it's in God, spirituality or just yourself. Allow yourself to recognize that bad moments can happen and things have a way of working out.
A solo dance session. It's amazing what a little rhythm and movement will do for your mood.
Gratitude. Be thankful for everything: The little moments, the big events, and even the opportunities that didn't work out. It's good for your health, and it gives you the perspective you need when life is giving you a swift kick in the pants.
Forgiveness. You are not defined by your past, a mistake, a choice you've made, a diagnosis or anything else for that matter. It's one thing to hold yourself accountable; it's another to berate yourself until you don't even like who you see in the mirror. Let go of the guilt you're carrying. It’s weighing you down and affecting your health.
Sleep. The gift of sleep never goes out of style. Getting the right amount of rest is energizing for your body and soul.
Silence. We're constantly surrounded by chatter, but it's in quiet where we can find calm, concentration and creativity. Give yourself that moment. Meditate daily, even if it’s only five minutes.
A willingness to learn. Life is a journey, and you're going to hit a few speed bumps along the way. If you open yourself up to those lessons, you'll also open yourself up to more wisdom, which is one of the best presents you can give yourself.
Joy. We know that joy isn’t something we pursue, but rather something that comes from within. People and events can make us happy, but joy is an emotional feeling from within that uplifts the human spirit.
Live! Enjoy the magic and wonderment of just being ALIVE!
“Self-love, self-respect, self-worth: There’s a reason they all start with ‘self.’ You can’t find them in anyone else.” ~Unknown
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-25-best-gifts-you-cou_b_6662070
https://www.rickhanson.net/gift-yourself/
https://hackspirit.com/how-to-love-yourself/