Valentine’s Day is upon us again and are you among those who are wondering to be your own Valentine? Let us tell you that it is the easiest thing to do!
Loving oneself is not an act. Loving oneself comes naturally. Self-love, self-partnering are among popular trends today, and is the coolest way to focus on oneself.
Children already know how to love themselves. Children are simply happy and at peace with themselves. They are a fountain of joy, stress-free and enthusiastic. Now, as per human evolution, you have also been a child someday. Then what makes you forget this innate art of self-love? One may say adulthood comes with a set of challenges and repercussions. Sure. But who said that one cannot remain childlike and have the same self-love that one is born with? If you want to be your own Valentine, then you need to keep these basic things in mind, and start practicing them!
So, how do we be our own Valentine and celebrate love? The first thing would be to know, as Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (Founder of The Art of Living and global humanitarian leader) says: love is not just an emotion. It is your very being.
How to achieve self-love?
It is only when we realize the importance of our existence, we can take a pause from the fast-paced life, drop the judgments we hold about ourselves and for once, love ourselves. Self-love is the birthright of all of us, irrespective of our worldly status, our shortcomings, achievements and our stage of life. Make yourself your priority and see how you get a more profound perspective about life.
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar says that self-love is the birthright of all of us, irrespective of our worldly status, our shortcomings, achievements and our stage of life. Make yourself your priority and see how you get a more profound perspective about life.
10 useful tips to be your own Valentine right away:
1. Start by loving your body
The journey to love yourself begins with the body. You enjoy the world and even feel its pain through your body. It’s a gift that must be loved and taken care of. It’s your body and it’s the only one that you have for this lifetime. Love your body, no matter what.
2. Stay away from negativity
Learning to love yourself becomes difficult when you’re brimming with negative thoughts about yourself. Thus, disciplining your mind and letting yourself loose from self-deprecating thoughts is an important step to love yourself.
Often, self-doubt is a result of comparing oneself with others. We forget to cherish our uniqueness. How to love yourself in these moments? Well, some practical wisdom for your mind can help you to simply remain unaffected. Know more about the Happiness Program at the end of the article.
3. Life is not all about being serious
Live, love, and laugh are not mere words but are a necessity for a fulfilling life. It’s important to not get stuck with challenges and roadblocks of life. It is important to have goals - but being feverish about them takes away your smile. Once you give your 100% then you can surrender and feel relaxed.
Self-love is only possible if you're stress-free, confident, joyful, and dynamic. Make it happen with the Art of Living Meditation and Breath Workshop.
4. Me time
Take out 30 minutes every day to pursue your hobby. Doing this activity every day will enhance your creativity and will make you love life all that more.
5. Stay updated with the world: Read.
This is a crucial activity. With the non-stop development in the world of technology, space, and science, it is amazing to read about the potential of mind. Reading about the world’s goodness will restore the faith in the world. Also, developing the habit of reading generally also gives a new direction and fresh perspective on life. Reading widens your horizon. It makes you informative, aware and knowledgeable. It doesn’t matter what you read but it’s productive to spend some time reading.
6. Pamper yourself
Take relaxing therapies or spend time with friends, take a warm bathe, watch your favourite show, go for a stroll at some nice place, pen down your thoughts and feelings on a paper or buy yourself the things you love the most. Do anything that you like doing by yourself and you will find your self-confidence increasing gradually.
7. Travel More
Travel in itself is a recreational activity. Plan a solo trip or trip with your friends once in a while. Knowing about different places, culture, climate is a good shift for mind from the regular routine.
8. Practice Yoga every day
Yoga is not just doing some body-twisting postures – it is experiencing the union of the body, mind, and breath – and the Sri Sri Yoga gives you that experience. Inculcating yoga in your routine helps in the development of potential, improves health, makes you feel lighter from inside and unlock the gate of happiness.
9. Meditation is the secret
Meditation is a new trend with the millennials. Amidst our hectic schedule, sedentary lifestyle, and untimely eating, the work stress starts impacting our health. Meditation helps you balance your emotions and keep your mind calm, happy and healthy. But it’s just more than a trend. Regular practice of meditation can not only make you stable, give inner strength and peace, but also make you explore the secret inner world!
10. You are more than your body and mind
We lose our confidence when our standard benchmarks of identity – the body and the mind – dwindle in appearance and sharpness respectively.
However, there is a part of us that never changes – an element beyond the changing mind and body. A glimpse of our own self empowers us with the confidence of the greatest kind and you learn to love yourself like never before. This element is the consciousness that is the source of joy and love in all of us. Meditation and yoga helps one to tune to this aspect of our being.
So, take your two arms, wrap them around yourself and wish a Happy Valentine’s Day to yourself! It’s worth it!
Self-partnering is the best activity for self-actualization and facilitates you to make optimum use of your skills and creativity. So, this Valentine’s Day learn to love yourself by registering for The Art of Living Happiness Program.
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