Self-Love Begins With Self-Respect

“Imagine how you would speak to someone whom you love and respect immensely. If you have a pet dog or cat that you love and adore, how do you speak to your animal friend? Now consider how you speak to yourself. What do you say to yourself every day when you look in the mirror, when you are bathing or dressing or going about your day? If you speak to yourself in a critical, judgmental way, it’s because you have learned to do this from others. You agreed to treat yourself this way, then you practiced this habit until you mastered it.

“Now that you are aware of the agreement, you can choose to break it by saying: ‘I no longer agree to treat myself with disrespect. Every time a self-critical thought comes to mind, I will forgive the Judge and follow this comment with words of praise, self-acceptance, and love.’

“Make a list of at least four things you say to yourself about yourself every day, then review your list and decide whether these words are kind, respectful, and loving. Treat yourself as you would treat a queen or king, an innocent child, or your favorite pet. Choose to be impeccable with your word. Self-love begins with self-respect.”

~ The Four Agreements Companion Book by don Miguel Ruiz