Embracing Affirmations and Appreciation
When we welcome affirmations and compliments with grace, and start receiving love and appreciation from others, it helps us build self-worth, deepen connections, and see ourselves through kinder eyes.
Hello Sunshine!
Do you know how truly wonderful you are? Let me clearly affirm how deeply I love and appreciate you for your individual gifts, talents, passions, thoughts, and interests that bring something beautifully unique and special to this world.
We’re often told that we must love and affirm ourselves before others can truly love, respect, value, and appreciate us. But this isn’t entirely true. What about when life gets hard, self-doubt sets in, and troubles arise? We are all imperfect beings who sometimes lose our way and stop recognizing the wonderful qualities we possess. In those moments, we need to be reminded of our significance.
It can feel uncomfortable, awkward, or unusual to receive compliments when we’ve become accustomed to going unnoticed, being disregarded, or feeling unacknowledged. Many people grew up with a lack of feedback or positive reassurance, creating unhealthy beliefs that they were unremarkable, unimportant, or undeserving of recognition, love, kindness, compassion, and care. Because of this, receiving compliments and being affirmed with affection can feel foreign and difficult to accept.
So how do we break through this barrier and allow others to love us a little bit more? Let’s flip the script. When we see the important people in our lives struggling, we build them up with confidence, encouragement, strength, and support. We empower them by pouring positive solutions into their negative situations. It makes us feel good to help others, to give recognition, to remind them that they matter, to express our love, and to be a source of light in their darkness.
There is extraordinary power in affirming those we love. Being able to accept compliments and affirmations in return builds closeness and connection. When we accept acknowledgment, kindness, and recognition, we give others the gift of feeling valued, important, and appreciated as positive parts of our lives. We can simply say, “thank you,” whether or not we fully agree. The more we welcome how others see and feel about us, the more self-confidence we gain. Soon, we begin to understand, see, and believe another’s opinions and views within ourselves. We learn to love ourselves a little bit more when we allow others to love us too.
Today, give an affirmation, receive a compliment, and remember that regardless of our pasts, there’s no time like the present to build one another up, spread a little kindness, and share a little love. I am so grateful that you are here and that you exist. Have a compassionately connected and graciously giving day! I love you!
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Journal Prompt
How do you typically respond to compliments or affirmations? What would it look like to fully receive these words of love and allow them to strengthen your self-confidence?