Love is All You Need

I filled out a questionnaire for a trade show I love to attend.

“What three words best describes you?”

My mind immediately raced to how I perceive myself

as anxious, unbalanced, and shy.

Then I thought about how others see me

as generous, authentic, and vivacious.

Later that day I discussed this difficult question with a customer.

I asked him, “Why do we see ourselves differently than others see us?”

We finished our chat and as he was out the door he left me pondering his last question, “What are three things that you feel you could improve?

“Great question! Only three?”

When I got home, I made my list.

1. Body dysmorphia.

Try growing up in a town where people make a living being beautiful. I’ve been telling myself that I’d be pretty if I lost 10lbs since I was 15.

2. People pleasing.

I find it impossible not to go the extra inch to make people happy. I’ll give myself carpal tunnel before turning down a request to do outside gift wrapping.

3. Commitment phobia.

I’m not talking about my the Runaway Bride syndrome. I can not walk a trade show and place an order in a booth because I fear finding something else I’ll want more in the next aisle. I can’t buy a plane ticket more than 14 days in advance. I can’t sign a lease for more than three years. It’s a combination of second guessing my choices and fearing the “what if.”

I realized that my positive traits always relate to how I treat others

and my negatives are how I treat myself.

Why is it so hard to love ourselves?

How do we disrupt this?

As Valentine’s Day is approaching, and my shop is filled with tools for giving, nurturing, and loving, I wanted to share what is the greatest gift of all.

Being in love with yourself. Unconditionally.

I learned in yoga that this journey begins with four little words that you say to yourself:

“I love you, (Tara)”