Appreciate Yourself

Recently I've been having some issues appreciating myself.  Life can be cruel.  I've reached a point in my life where I have hopes, dreams, and goals.  I want to be more than just a mom.  And, {not to toot my own horn but,} I'm good at what I'm trained to do.  I'm a damn good health & wellness consultant and a personal trainer.  But nobody wants to see how good I am.  When you live in a small town, it's hard to start things, hard to make yourself noticed.  And finding a job is a double edged sword.  They want someone with experience but, you can't get experience without a job.  You have to find that one person who'swilling to give you a shot.  

After filling out 240,368,652 and going to a bunch job interviews and not getting hired you start feeling unappreciated, and honestly it makes you question yourself.  When this happens you need to take some time, and remind yourself about things about yourself you should appreciate.  I'm re-learning to appreciate myself.  

I found a list on TinyBuddha.com of 30 things to appreciate about yourself.

The Good Things You Do for You

1. You let yourself learn new things, which helps you grow and contribute to the world.

2. You do good things for your body, like exercising and eating healthy foods (even if not always).

3. You honor your life by making healthcare a priority.

4. You take time away from work to simply be, which allows you to feel balanced.

5. You bounce back from bad days and disappointments.

6. You do what’s right for you, even if it’s not easy to say no to other people (and even if you occasionally people please).

7. You choose to be around people who make you feel good about yourself.

8. You work toward goals that make you feel passionate and purposeful.

9. You smile, which benefits both you and the people around you.

10. You give yourself the sleep you need to feel energized and balanced each day (even you sometimes need to get better sleep).

The Good Things You Do for Other People

1. You have good intentions.

2. You accept people for who they are and try to keep an open mind.

3. You make people laugh, whether you have a dry humor, an acerbic wit, or a caricature-like personality.

4. You listen to the people when they need an ear.

5. You’re compassionate toward other people.

6. You make selfless decisions to look out for the people you love, even if not always.

7. You forgive people when they make mistakes, even if sometimes it’s hard.

8. You vocalize it when you notice something you value, admire, or appreciate in someone else.

9. You help other people reach their potential.

10. You’re honest with people, even if sometimes vulnerability feels scary.

The Good Things You Do for the World

1. You care about your work, or something you do outside it, and you do it passionately.

2. You want to make a difference.

3. You vote to create positive change.

4. You recycle to preserve our natural resources.

5. You choose not to litter.

6. If you’re a parent, you’re shaping the next generation.

7. You give back, whether that means volunteering, donating old clothes, or simply helping a stranger in need.

8. You call for help when you see something potentially hazardous.

9. You teach something valuable to someone every day, whether you realize it or not.

10. You make positive changes in yourself—and being the change you want to see is the best way to change the world.

And one last one: You’re great, you’re wonderful, and everybody likes you. (Okay, so that one was Rodney Dangerfield, but it felt apropos!)

What do you do to show yourself some appreciation?  Let me know.