Day 15: Christ-like love

I've been thinking a lot today about the Savior and the love that he has for each of us. I tend to get down on myself about my shortcomings. I expect to be perfect and to always say and do the right things and when that doesn't happen I feel as though I've failed. Now this isn't a result of any sort of trauma in my life, this belief in perfection is actually a very common mentality among women, I've come to find. We expect so much out of ourselves that when we don't live up to those expectations, we're our worst critics and feel rather stupid.

At any rate, it'snot wodner that sometimes we can become so down-trodden and depressed! Now this brought me to the thought that perhaps I need to take a more Christ-like approach to how I view myself. Initially I never really thought that I wasn't being fair to myself. I just expected to work harder and always be better. But I've come to realize that I never truly forgive myself for the mistakes that I make. I don't allow myself to move forward at times, and I hold myself back with such a stubborn attitude. The funny thing is, is that I'd never even think to act like that towards another person...kinda ironic eh? Well I've realized that I'm not being Christ-like to myself. I'm not having that love towards myself and an understanding that I'm not perfect and that Heavenly Father loves me even despite that fact. He doesn't expect me to be perfect. He merely wants me to TRY. That's the key to it all. To simply try my best and pray and keep him in my heart is the key to success! I'm such a dunce sometimes!

So today, I decided to devote myself to seeing the good, not only in the world, but also in me. Sure there are things I'd like to change about me (*cough* baby weight *cough*) but I'm not going to become hard on myself and bring my spiritual appreciation for myself down. I'll continually strive to build myself and others up constantly. I think that's what Christ would want me to do, don't you?