self-esteem vs self-image

[Dia Minha]

Came across this, this morning. I'm probably the only one that needs it, but I thought I would share it anyway.

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Dia

[Erudite]

Great article, Dia! I do a lot of those things and they do help. I especially want to plug the make-up, outfit, and do your hair thing. That really works!! A couple of years back I was one of those moms who never really got going in the morning. 2pm was a normal shower time and why not? Only my kids ever saw me...except on those days when I had to run out the door for something and there I am...make-up-less, shower-less and very self conscious. You try to blow it off thinking your friends will love you anyway, and they do...but I still felt icky. So I made the committment to get going better each day, put make-up on earlier each day and so on. My days go TONS better because I get up, read my scriptures over my breakfast, (do a little computer work), exercise and shower. I'm normally on the go by 10am during the summer (earlier during the school year) and I can go and not feel bad about the way I look because I put in the time early in the day. Anyway, if you don't do that, try that! It works!

[Mamallama]

I can SO relate to all of your thoughts and feelings here!! Great ideas and advice from all of you here!! I love it!

A great thought that I think goes along with this is from "Feelings Buried Alive":

"One of the largest contributing factors to your ability to freely enjoy other people depends upon how much you enjoy your SELF....how much you are able to accept yourself"

Dr Joan Borysenko says:
"Accept yourself as you are. (Fat thighs, big nose, mistakes, health concerns, back pain, or other physical limitations notwithstanding) This means more than a grudging realization that you'll never again be some way that you used to be or some way that you wish to be. Acceptance means actually honoring yourself as you are now....This allows you to stop judging yourself negatively, which invariably brings forth feelings of blame, shame, guilt, or fear and escalates the cycle of anxiety and tension."

I love the part about "honoring yourself as you are now". So often I fall into the category of "I'll be happy with myself when or if......" when I'm thinner, when I reach this goal, if I could change this....

To honor myself right now just how I am!--wow---can I do this?---Heavenly Father loves me at this moment with the good, the bad and the ugly of me---why can't I love myself with all that I am right now?
Very freeing thoughts to me--