As I was bounding through the sunshine on my five mile run this morning, flirting with the RayBan clad mailman who cruises through my neighborhood, I was reveling in pure joy. Belting out tunes as I sprinted past dog walkers and people pushing strollers, I didn't care who heard me singing. I was on fire, and people were either going to participate in my infectious happiness, or I was going to ignore them.
When I reached the final stretch of my run, Ne-yo's butter-smooth voice came over my ipod: "Girl let me love you, and I will love you until you learn to love yourself." Ne-yo's selfless offer got me thinking about happiness. Over the years, I've learned that it is impossible to be truly happy unless you love yourself unconditionally. As parents and friends, we would never dream of uttering demeaning words to our children and loved ones, and yet, I've met so many people who continually berate themselves. I refuse to engage in such negative self talk. As corny as it may sound, I try to treat myself with the same dignity and respect that I give to others. I take time to do things that I enjoy every day and let my inner-cheerleader celebrate my successes and console me for my failures. I love myself unconditionally and that is a huge part of my happiness.
Of course, I didn't always treat myself so well. Twenty-one years ago, I met a man who changed everything because he was willing to love me until I could learn to love myself. His unwavering devotion and love taught me to let go of my perfectionist ideals and to laugh at and embrace my weaknesses and idiosyncrasies. I learned to see myself as he sees me, and I've been happy ever since.
Sometimes we all need someone to sweep in and love us unconditionally until we can learn to love ourselves. Now that I've found my happiness, I try to give the same unconditional love that I give to myself to my children and friends. Happiness really is contagious, and if you let someone love you . . . you may end up loving yourself.
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