A Few Ways to Befriend Yourself

• Tune in to your breath. Gently be aware of its in-and-out, give-and-receive motion. Thank it for being your life-long, life-giving friend.

• Put your attention on your heart center. Allow yourself to sink into its steadiness.

• Without judgment or criticism, monitor your self-talk.

• Sweeten and gentle it when needed.

• Imagine, or remember, how you talk to a delightful, beloved, and entertaining child or pet and choose to talk to yourself that way.

• When you notice self-talk you’d like to change, ask yourself how you would phrase your words if you were talking to your best friend.

• This may sound weird, but apologize to yourself for past unfriendly self-talk and promise your precious self that you will be kinder going forward. Keep your promise, it’s a life-changing one.

Excerpted from How to Stay Upbeat in a Beat Down World by Sue Patton Thoele. Available on Amazon.