Friday, February 3, 2012

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?

12 comments:

christa said...

I have to tell that to myself, "Treat yourself as you would treat others". It can be easy to beat myself up when I make a mistake or the wrong choice, but I would never do that to the kiddos I work with, or to anyone else.

Erica said...

as I was whining on a run the other day about how chubby I am and how slow I am and wahhh wahh wahh the thought someone else would kill to be where you are right now, to have what you have" I think that is a great point to be thankful for all the things we have and even for those we don't :) Love this post

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

We were just practicing this principle while jeans shopping for S'ghetti girl. We have to dress the body we have now not the one we wish we had. Accept and love that we are as strong, fit, healthy as we are. We can work everyday to improve where we are but we only can live the circumstance we have today so why not LOVE it!

Great series of posts.

Jessica (Pace of Me) said...

i love this, t. really really love it. thanks for doing this series - it is AWESOME!!

Jason said...

Perfect. Just perfect.

Katie said...

Great post!

The Jesse said...

another great post, thank you!

this is something i struggle with, constantly. "treat yourself as you would like to be treated" - so simple, yet why is it so hard?

justme said...

i just had a talk about this and how i was judging myself and the question was asked why ? and i realized it was b/c i was judging others around me as well......

KimPossible said...

Great reminder of such an important, but often forgotten, point. Thanks honey badger!

XLMIC said...

You're really the best, T. I've needed these reminders lately. Thanks so much :)

Unknown said...

I'm loving these. So so true!!

Unknown said...

Will you be my bestie!? :D xo