good for you....i am a firm believer that unless we learn to love ourselves and take care of ourselves we cannot love others. if the concept of being at ease with ourselves and loving the person we are doesnt come naturally to us for whatever reason then it must be given priority over everything else and worked on. i have always thougt of myself as the outsider, the unloved one, the unlovable one until i was fortunate enough to meet me latter day saint who became my mentors for a while when i was in therapy. i have since gone on to learn a lot from their teachings, mainly to believe in myself and count my blessings. it is all too easy to focus on what is wrong in your life and forget that which is good. i write regularly, here or on other forums i take part in but i have a golden rule that is i never write anything negative...only the postive reaches the page!!! with practise i have found that i have an acute understanding of my pain and that of others but remain optimistic that life is going to get better with time, patience and love. During my teaching sessions with the brothers i learnt a hymn which summoned up what i needed to do to make me a better person and love myself more. i attach the words to "count your blessings" here in the hope that you too may find inspiration to continue the good work you have already begun on loving yourself.

Thank you for sharing!  Other folks and their successful moments are what kept me coming back before - I am certain that will keep me coming back again!

Thank you SOOOO much for sharing HOOT.