No matter how much work you do on outside relationships, if you don’t have unconditional love and compassion for yourself, you won’t be able to fully achieve true happiness.
This week we are going to work on dissolving any negative thoughts about yourself and begin a path of self-love, self-discovery, and self-acceptance. You will spend every day with yourself, so choose to spend your life loving your own magnificence.
If you are still keeping up with the Gratitude Photo Project, keep it going! If you aren’t still doing it feel free to pick it
back up at anytime throughout the Challenge.
Day 15
Action Step:
Discover what you love about you.
Grab something to take notes on and jot down at least 7 things you like about yourself. Read through it slowly, then read it again. It’s ok if you are smiling or thinking, “wow I am amazing.” You are and should remember that!
Keep this list close by, as we will reference again this week.
Action Step:
Understand and accept your weaknesses and flaws.
Also, take time today to recognize your weaknesses and flaws.
You are human, so weaknesses and flaws come with our species. Even those that look like they have it all together are more than likely dealing with something that is causing them regret and pain. The key is not to simmer and brew in toxic self-destruction. When self-doubt comes rushing in, you have two positive options:
Openness and willingness to change the things you can change to improve yourself.
Acceptance of those things you cannot change.
If you have a real flaw or past failure, ask yourself, “Is there anything I can do to improve or prevent it?” Can you make amends, get more training, improve your appearance, work on your communication skills, go to counseling, or make different choices? If so, choose to take action.
Then there are those things you cannot change. What can you do about them? Embrace them. Embracing and loving these unchangeable flaws and failures simply means you accept them. You stop struggling with them. With acceptance, you strengthen your character and improve your emotional maturity. This frees up your mind to focus on your strengths, improve what you can, and fully enjoy the many blessings you do have in your life.
Day 16-20
Action Step:
Write a plan to take charge on positive actions.
Reflect on your thoughts and feelings from yesterday. Take out your list of all the amazing things about yourself. Add some more if you have thought of additional greatness you exude. Read your list again and take a few minutes to feel proud.
After you let those positive feelings marinate, now recall the areas of opportunities you have to work on. For the ones that you can work on, choose one to focus on. Take a few minutes to make a plan. Write down:
Your focus area.
The action you want to take and the date you would like to complete this action.
What barriers will keep you from successfully completing the action.
Tip and tools for you to keep in your back pocket to knock down the barriers.
How you will feel once you complete the action.
This is the beginning of a plan to make changes where you can. As you execute your plan you will need to modify and even shift direction sometimes, but always keep focus on the opportunity that you are ready to conquer and change. If you get distracted or lose the drive, read your answer to the bullet above How you will feel once you complete the action. That should give you the boost you need to get back on track.
Over the next 4 days continue to work on putting your plan into action. Additionally, pull your amazing list out each night before you go to bed and end the day reflecting on those positive traits.
Day 21
My philosophy for a happy life - by Sam Berns
Action Step:
Be inspired.
Watch the video on how Sam Berns focused on what he could do to achieve his dreams instead of focusing on his obstacles. We can learn so much from Sam and his philosophy for a happy life:
Be OK with what you ultimately can’t do, because there is so much you CAN do.
Surround yourself with people you want to be around.
Keep moving forward.
Please consult with your physician prior to starting any kind of diet, exercise or wellness program. This program is not intended to give medical, nutritional or wellness advice.
