Do You Respect Yourself?

As we’ve discussed over the years, we’d been programmed (by society) to not listen to self and to not trust self. And, over the years, we’ve been asked to start listening and trusting self.

So let’s take it a step further. Do you respect yourself? Let’s take a look at an example: I’ve been told I’m blatantly honest. I can agree with that with the understanding that my honesty comes from a place of my truths and life experiences.

Why am I honest? Because in my younger years, I’d been in relationships with narcissists, and the narcissists seemed to be pretty much all about lying to make themselves look good. And I’ve seen what that does to the liar’s energetic aspect; it’s pretty gross. In my perception of energy and my experiences, habitual lying takes a toll on the liar’s own physical self – not to mention the damage done to those they’ve lied to or about.

I decided earlier in my life that I needed to respect myself and one way for me to do that is to not lie; not to others and hopefully not to myself.

I didn’t want my energy, and thereby my physical aspect to be tarnished and weighted down by deceptions of my own making.

Now this doesn’t mean speaking truth to – with conscious knowledge – hurt someone if you don’t like, for example, their new clothes or new partner; it doesn’t mean you have to be so blatant. It’s okay to acknowledge it another way. “I can see you’re excited about ________. Good for you!” Or, “I support your decision.” You don’t have to like their choices, but they are not your choices; it’s not your life; you don’t need to crush someone over their excitement for something new in their life. Use discernment. You just don’t need to lie about it.

For today, perhaps work on self-respect. Maybe concentrate on not lying today. Or maybe not allow others to use you as a doormat. Set your boundaries out of respect for yourself, and maintain them.

You have to live with you. No one else lives in your body. You are responsible for your life. Respecting self makes it a whole lot easier to get up in the morning and face the new day…at least it has worked that way for me.

  R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

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By Jan Toomer