How do you see yourself?

How do you see yourself? Do you like what you see when you look in the mirror? Can you see past the fine lines, blemishes, and the external ‘flaws’ claimed by society and see who you really are? Can you whisper three little words to yourself... I love you...   Can you release your attachment to what others think about you? Can you stand in your own truth and be comfortable in your own company?  Do you like who you’ve become? I admit I’m a people pleaser in recovery. And I’ll clarify by saying I don’t think it’s necessarily bad to care about someone’s experience when they are in your presence. Say a workshop, class, or activity that you are providing. In fact, when you take personal responsibly to do YOUR best so that others can have the ‘opportunity’ to experience therir best possible outcome, shows that you care. But after you do your best, the rest is out of your hands. You are NOT responsible for others reactions to you or their experience.  Becoming attached to that outcome can be very stressful (Says the woman who is still practicing that very idea!). But take this one step further and look at your own actions on an internal level. Do you care about how you treat yourself? If you tried your best but the outcome didn’t line up with your expectations, can you still be content with the experience? Are you aware of the words you use when talking to yourself? What you say in your head that you would never tell another person. Do you belittle your efforts and put yourself down? I think sometimes we don’t even realize that we’re doing it, or how harsh we can be.  If all of those words sink down deep, unfortunately we begin to believe them. Our thoughts become our reality. We can pay attention to the verbiage we use, become more gentle, loving, and appreciative for ourselves.  Then maybe we can see our internal beauty.  Love our inner being with a full heart and total acceptance, then look in the mirror with a new set of eyes. Yes, I do love you....