needed it most. I’ve given my cousin a night off by babysitting her daughter. What do you give to those you love?
Practice: 1. Starting with your immediate family and then extending out in expanding circles, write the names of people you love. 2. Choose one person. Treat them to a random act of kindness like preparing their favorite meal, leaving them a loving note, or complimenting them on how they handled a situation.
Day 18: A Feeling of Belonging Habit: Connecting with Yourself Your level of belonging, in fact, can never be greater than your level of self-acceptance, because believing that you’re enough is what gives you the courage to be authentic, vulnerable and imperfect. —Brené Brown, “Brené Brown’s Top 4 Life Lessons” The more you are able to be who you really are and be accepted for it, the more self-esteem you’ll have. The more self-esteem you have, the more you are able to express yourself, act authentically, and be fully present with others, and that means greater feelings of belonging. It’s a virtuous feedback loop where more self-esteem creates more belonging and more belonging creates more self-esteem. You can increase your sense of belonging and acceptance by expressing gratitude to others, practicing random acts of kindness, and volunteering. Be generous to yourself by being generous with others. 36 • Week 3