Live Like the Honey Badger: Principle 2

This is the second in a series of posts entitled, Live Like the Honey Badger. Every Friday, I address one aspect of developing confidence, self-worth, a fearless nature and the like. Previous weeks are linked below.

Principle 1: Honey Badger Don't Care

Principle 2: Accept Yourself. Your Whole Self.

As children, we are taught multiple life lessons and we observe numerous societal norms. It's almost unavoidable. If you are exposed to other people, and honestly, even if you're not, you will be shaped by the environment around you. Good or bad.

Think back to your childhood. What were some of those early lessons you learned? While we all differ in our upbringing, I would bet that most people would include the following two ideals in their list.

• Treat others as you would like to be treated.
• Don't judge people for being different.

They are good practices to keep and are often the foundation of what society would call a "good person." Personally, I can remember my parents stressing these values when I was young and now, I find myself doing the same thing to my own children. But, there's a problem in the application of these lessons. Too often, people forget to apply them to themselves. Probably, because no one tells them to.

Think about it. It's easy to say to someone, "I don't care that you are X, Y or Z, I still love you." But, can you say that to yourself? Can you look in the mirror and see all the things that make you different and still treat yourself with the respect that you deserve? Or instead, do you rip yourself apart? If you wouldn't want someone else tearing you down for being who you are, then why would you do it to yourself?

The self-hate needs to end. Stop viewing yourself as "less than", and start realizing that you are "enough". Take strength in knowing that someone, somewhere would kill to be exactly who you are. Apply the lessons of your childhood to yourself and not just the people around you.

• Treat yourself as you would like to be treated.
• Don't judge yourself for the things that make you uniquely you.

And perhaps, most importantly, accept yourself. Your whole self. Because if you can't do it, why should anyone else?