Why DON'T I Like ME?

Who hasn't EVER disliked themselves? Not too many of us.

I am thankful for parents who were loving, nurturing and helped us see the inner beauty in EVERYONE!

I remember my Father instructing us to never say unkind things about people, but especially the handicapped. I believe it was because of this "awareness" that I learned to appreciate the positive aspects about people and to lose sight on outer and/or physical beauty, at an early age.

I was born in the Sixties, in Buffalo, New York and attended Catholic school. My parents exposed us to people of different ethnicities, cultures, social and religious backgrounds, so I feel it helped me compare my life with those whom I encountered. I was taught to never look down on anyone, but to appreciate our family value system versus that of my peers. Given this tool or "gift", (which I cultivated over time), I amassed the ability of "LIKING" myself.

How do you "LIKE" yourself? EVERYONE LIKES themselves, right? Wrong! Personally, LIKING ME, came through what I would term "comparison shopping". You know, comparing the price of an item in one store, against the price of the same item in a different store. When you observe people and the qualities about them that are likeable or dislikeable, it causes you to internalize. What is it about their behavior that you would change? Do you see yourself in their behavior? If so, change what you dislike about them (and YOURSELF) and apply it to YOU. Once you've done this often enough, YOU become a more likeable person, until EVEN YOU, LIKE YOU! Try it!