YOUR ALTAR FOR SELF-LOVE

DEAR FRIENDS -- To be happy, you need to passionately love and believe in yourself. Self-love and confidence will drive away the inner night of self-criticism and self-doubt. In this morning light of the soul you see the truth  -- that there is nothing wrong with you, and there never has been! Pure self-acceptance opens your heart, lifts your spirit and gives you the greatest relief. For the first time, you feel at home in yourself and at peace with your life.
I often use the example of a newborn infant to illustrate the beautiful attitude you can develop toward yourself. Think of how moved you are in the presence of such a precious and perfect little being. You feel tender, you feel protective, and filled with a sense of beauty and wonder. I guarantee that you have never thought -- "You aren't good enough..." or "I wish you were different somehow..." Your instinctive reaction is pure love -- and a sense of sacredness. Wordlessly your heart speaks: "Become yourself, believe in yourself, that's all you need to do!"
Now imagine being filled with this sense of love and validity about yourself. That is the path that leads to joy. That is what will set you free and bring you home.
Don't you see? You are as precious, as innocent, as pure and as lovable as the day you were born. You are sacred, as sacred as a newborn child. And you have the same potential for a life of joy, if you choose to believe in yourself and begin again!
As I worked to awaken my own love and belief in myself, I was moved to create a sacred place in my home -- a altar of self-love -- that constantly reminded me of my own beauty and validity. You can call it your "me place"! It was a presence that inspired self-acceptance and centered me in the feeling of my own worth and "rightness".
For example, when I first created my altar I artfully placed these symbols and objects on a low table in the room I used for yoga and meditation: pictures of myself as an infant and from the present day, a heart-shaped mirror, a candle, my journal, self-help books that were inspiring me, my microphone (I'm a singer), healing stones, flowers, and a Buddhist mandala (symbol of the self and of wholeness). Over time the arrangement evolved, as I added objects such as statues of gods and animals (that symbolized my own strengths) and other meaningful things. It was quite beautiful to look at, and every day I lit the candle and spent five minutes sitting peacefully gazing at it. Creating it was an act of self-healing and love, so simply having it in my home and spending time just "being" before it grew that initial spark  into a steady flame.     
I strongly urge you to get motivated and create your own self-affirming altar! A powerful symbol such as this in your home will build up a deep and transforming shift in your basic attitude toward you. In its steady beauty and inspiring presence your positive awareness of self will be nurtured and supported. The illusion that you 'aren't good enough" must be dispelled -- once and for all. This potent mirror of your sacredness will free your spirit to say "become yourself, believe in yourself. That's all you need to do!" LOTS OF LOVE -- BRIAN