When someone says, “I love my life,” what’s the first thought you have? Do you feel happy for this person and think, “Yes, I love my life too.”  Or do you feel envious and think, “What’s wrong with my life?” The feeling that comes up is a barometer to how much you love yourself and your life. Because when you truly love yourself and your life, you trust that there is enough love, success, joy and abundance to go around.

So how do you love yourself and your life when right now you feel depressed, defeated or uninspired?

Before you get out of bed in the morning begin your day with gratitude. If you can’t think of anything, then start by saying thank you for taking a breath & being alive. Bless yourself, your fellow human beings, and the earth no matter what your circumstances.

Everyday ask yourself what you do you love about yourself? If you draw a mental blank, ask yourself what someone else might say they love about you. Write them down and create mantras for yourself such as I am love, I am kind. or I am trustworthy.

Practice loving-kindness and acceptance of yourself as you go through your day. Remember to keep an open heart and tell someone you love them. Expand this loving vibration outward and it will boomerang back to you a million fold.
Forgive yourself quickly and often for not being perfect or having the perfect life. If you did, you wouldn’t need to be here on earth anymore. Bless yourself in loving compassion and release blame, resentment or judgment when you make a mistake.

Be playful and open to trying something new or something you’ve always wanted to do. Dance, sing and journal or whatever makes your heart sing. Make a joy list and then do it with creative abandon.

Give yourself the freedom to follow your heart no matter what anyone else thinks. Let go of anything in your life that no longer serves you and choose what is more appropriate to your true being at this time in your life.

Most of us desire deeper levels of intimacy with ourselves and our loved ones. Such meaningful relationships and intimate interactions begin with feeling “safe” enough to to freely and openly share our fears and insecurities. Opening up to another person and allowing ourselves to be vulnerable helps us establish the intimate connection we desire.

We can let down our guard and the barriers that surround our hearts by establishing absolute trust in ourselves and our connection with source. This creates a foundation for an intimate relationship with another. Trust fosters full self-expression uninhibited by insecurity and opens us to heart to heart communication. Creating an environment of trust with another requires accepting ourselves for who we are, the other person for who they are, and the relationship for what it is in the present. When we let go of being possessive or insecure, we support an atmosphere where it is safe to bear our souls. Open your heart and be brave enough to reveal yourself. Then, reciprocate and really see them, too

Sharing our innermost thoughts and feelings with another allows us to forge intimate and meaningful relationships. When we reveal our true being to another, any chasm that separates us is bridged by such intimacy. This can be uncomfortable at first, but it is emotionally fulfilling to relate to others in such an intimate way. Revealing our true selves brings us closer together and our intimate connection gives us a common ground upon which to spiritually grow in relationship.