Self Love
Self Help Project By: Narkisha Harris
The book picked for my self-help final project is known as “Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends On It” by Kamal Ravikant. The book was based on committing to yourself rather than anything superficial or materialistic. Through his words, he implicated the steps and daily practice of saying “I love me” or “I love myself.” The author himself shared his thoughts on methods that “claimed” to be highly efficient and things that he tested that could work for the reader. He tells his series of experiences based on suffer and faith for the pursuit of happiness. He used simple techniques that had unique titles like “cleaning windows.” Kamal Ravikant discussed aligning one spirit or inner being with the perks of life. Teaching the mind and body of love and the magical powers it can have.
Focusing on the truth and what it stands for when pertaining to you. Kamal Ravikant made a major point noted as “struggle reinforces pain.” His lesson behind it was that real growth comes from within. Those challenging situations or life-changing moments are what mold us. He encouraged the reader to not fear his or her potential to grow and to learn the legitimate principle of love. Anything worth obtaining will require trial and error. This book was not intended for anyone who has a permanent state of happiness and joy. Nor was it meant for those who are not intending to take away the potential lessons taught. The reader would need to be focused and interested in the power of the mind, body, and soul. Anyone who felt they were in a dark place or even simply lost would benefit from his work. Those who have experienced the magic of constantly coming out on top of things. Those who find themselves needing a firm reminder of their value to this lifetime would benefit. The authors true intentions was for the reader to understand that not one living human being is perfect in this world.
As a person you will encounter moments where your physical and mental capabilities are put to test. However, to understand that those matters can be temporary if you let them. Ups and downs are all apart of life and there will be plenty of moments when one falls off track. The key to it all pertains to once again “self-love.” It all take time and practice to achieve. One major thing he pointed out in his book was the sign of relief. It was important to his readers that you cannot stop attempting to better yourself further on. He intended for his book to be a stepping stone in life as he would hope his readers retained the lessons. Life will blow away the many things we expect to have. Although as a reader and learner from his experience you must be willing to say “Its complete.” Put your foot down and be willing to face your reasons for lack of love head on. Once you have completed that step you would be considered unstoppable.
My personal reaction to the book this was completely mind-blowing with a mix of complete shock. While searching for a book that would suit my interest in my self-help project. I totally thought I would find myself reading another book that was a waste of my time. As an indecisive living and breathing human being on this earth today. I found myself battling with complete unhappiness and depression for my final term of the year. I researched the words “self-help books” in my search engine for weeks at a time. Majority of the books appeared to be flat out boring or ineffective especially after reading the first few pages. This book helped me to understand the true definition of “love” and yet alone “self-love.” Which is something no one could possibly give you in this world. The book helped me to solidify my well-being and spirit as it may encounter different things in this lifetime.
I truly admired the fact that he wrote his book on the truth. Rather than sugarcoating or “pillow fluffing” the material and factual based information. He nailed things straight to the point making it nice yet easy to read and understand. This book really helped me in a tremendous amount of ways that words could not only describe. I assumed since the book had numerous amounts of five-star ratings it had to be good. Throughout the book, he focused on meditation, mental health, and self-awareness. Which were three things I found to be highly interesting especially the mental health. He stated that to really avoid draining yourself of things you cannot mentally withstand. We need to loop our mindset and rerun the fact that no matter what we “love ourselves.” Which really had me in utter despair until I read further on. Reading his book was almost as if a professor were giving a one on one lecture fit to my mental capabilities. That portion alone opened my eyes because I often feel down or just completely overworked by life. He stated that there would be a “loop” for everything we encounter in life like happiness, pain, suffrage, and even procrastination to an extent. Which left me to really sit and think if I could practice this new thing such as “looping.” Was I a new reader to this form of work practice this? Am I wasting my time all over again? Will I notice the improvement and it not set me back? The questions that lead me to another portion of his book. Throughout the book, he started to dig deep into questioning and self-awareness.
He talked about how people could react differently or experience things totally new had they “loved themselves” more. Leading me to think could I too experience life differently if I had more “self-love” as well? Often when things would get rough I would handle the situation in a way that suits my mood . Somedays situations that may be problematic to me would be handled with motivation or some other sort of technique. However, Kamal Ravikant explained something I never thought of. The “cleaning window” method that sounded utterly preposterous at the time might I say. The job of the reader experiencing a tough or emotional time in life was simple. Go to a window with a rag and cleaning spray. Imagining that the window is covered in things that bother you. Then begin spraying and start wiping away until your window is full of life and light. At that point, it required me to set my book down and hold my face. Did I just buy a book for self-help that wants me to clean a window? The answer was yes. I couldn’t believe it because often a form of relief for me is affiliated with cleaning. Once again, this author was highly impressive. With a weird yet outstanding method and technique.
Leading me to start doing some research for my own well-being. Starting with the true definition of self-love. Its known as a regard for one’s happiness and welfare for a personal advantage (Dictionary.com, 2018). I then looked up ways psychological techniques that would be common for those wanting to learn how to love themselves. Self-compassion has three commonly related aspects known as mindfulness, self-kindness, and common humanity (Psychology Today, 2018). Self-love is by far more effective and easier when affiliated with behavior than motivation pertaining to shame or self-critique (Psychology Today, 2018). Researchers suggest that those who experience self-love and acceptance have a greater rate of satisfaction (HuffPost UK, 2018). Self-love can help you to build a phenomenal health routine and benefit (HuffPost UK, 2018). Those who have better physical health along with better self-compassion pose less of a risk for depression or anxiety (HuffPost UK, 2018). Self-love can lead to many great things in life that can consist of many benefits. Self-love at times of distress or challenge can curve your self-critique. Which in some cases can be more harmful than receiving criticism from others. Self-love takes time, dedication, and practice to validate if it works. Notice the way you carry yourself and partake in general discussions. When your emotions are beyond tolerable and you feel like you're in a dark place write something positive (Emma Seppälä, Ph.D., 2018).
Develop phrases, safe words, or find a quote that brings you to relaxation (Emma Seppälä, Ph.D., 2018). Allowing your body to not be overwhelmed with the bad. Write yourself each day a few words of wisdom or a letter (Emma Seppälä, Ph.D., 2018). According to data collected nearly 85% of people suffer from lack of self-love and esteem according to the professional Dr. Joe. In terms means that part of the population feels happy, valuable, and fulfilled. While the other portion of the population feels the complete opposite. There is a test that is offered at different places that can help to identify the source of your problem for lack of self-love.
THE DEFINITION OF SELF-LOVE
In-text: (Dictionary.com, 2018)
Your Bibliography: Dictionary.com. (2018). the definition of self-love. [online] Available at: http://www.dictionary.com/browse/self-love [Accessed 27 Apr. 2018].
8 POWERFUL STEPS TO SELF-LOVE
In-text: (Psychology Today, 2018)
Your Bibliography: Psychology Today. (2018). 8 Powerful Steps to Self-Love. [online] Available at: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-mindful-self-express/201706/8-powerful-steps-self-love [Accessed 27 Apr. 2018].
5 SCIENCE-BACKED REASONS IT'S IMPORTANT TO LOVE YOURSELF
In-text: (HuffPost UK, 2018)
Your Bibliography: HuffPost UK. (2018). 5 Science-Backed Reasons It's Important To Love Yourself. [online] Available at: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/30/love-yourself-science-study_n_5900878.html [Accessed 27 Apr. 2018].
THE HARD DATA ON SELF-LOVE AND WHY IT LEADS TO SUCCESS
In-text: (Emma Seppälä, Ph.D., 2018)
Your Bibliography: Emma Seppälä, Ph.D. (2018). The Hard Data on Self-Love and Why It Leads to Success. [online] Available at: https://emmaseppala.com/hard-data-self-love-leads-success/ [Accessed 27 Apr. 2018]
BENNETT, C.
Are You Among the 85 % of People With Low Self-Esteem? It Can Lead to Weight Gain & More
In-text: (Bennett, 2018)
Your Bibliography: Bennett, C. (2018). Are You Among the 85 % of People With Low Self-Esteem? It Can Lead to Weight Gain & More. [online] Connie Bennett. Available at: http://connieb.com/are-you-among-the-85-of-people-with-low-self-esteem-it-can-lead-to-weight-gain-more/ [Accessed 27 Apr. 2018].
1. What additional books are written by this author?
The phenomenal author himself known as Kamal Ravikant has written numerous books. Below are listed a very few of his own pieces that also were best sellers. His writing partakes in different genres and series of events. Known best for his works in the self-help department he continues to shock his readers.
Rebirth: A Fable of Love, Forgiveness, and Following Your Heart [Book]
From the author of the bestsellers Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends on It and Live Your Truth comes Rebirth, and inspiring. BY Kamal Ravikant
I'm Not for Everyone. Neither Are You. (ebook)
"This is a work of genius, a metaphor-studded treasure chest, filled with wisdom for anyone willing to go look.” By Kamal Ravikant
Rebirth: A Fable of Love, Forgiveness, and Following Your Heart [Book]
From the author of the bestsellers Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends on It and Live Your Truth comes Rebirth, an inspiring …
Fiction
Renacer [Book]
After the death of his estranged father, Amit takes his parent's ashes to the Ganges to fulfill a deathbed promise. Fate leads …
Focus: Body / Mind / Spirit · Paperback ·
Non-fiction
Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends on it [Book]
Live Your Truth [Book]
2. What background or experience does the author have (including degrees, educational background, personal experience) that makes them a credible source of information for the topic they are writing about in the self-help book you chose?
Kamal Ravikant is the author of the bestselling books, Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends On It and Live Your Truth. He's a retired US Army Infantry soldier. Who held the hands of dying patients for many days. Climbed in the Himalayas which was a one of a kind experience. Even has spoken to audiences around the globe about different things. For example, he participates in Ted Talk conferences. Kamal Ravikant has walked 550 miles across Spain. Given the chance to meditate with Tibetan monks. And has already worked with some of the best people in Silicon Valley. However, to top it all off he is extremely humble and dedicated to his love for writing. He tends to write a vast majority of his books that are based on improving his reader's lives. Some portions of his life he kept private. I decided to think of his work as credible because I am a firm believer in real life experiences. Although things can be done and perceived completely differently by each person. Based on his past and credible forms of work and knowledge. How could one question his intelligence? Sometimes it's not what you know but possibly how it went. A person past can be used a preventative measure if told right and received by the listener properly.
3. What are some other resources you could use to gain additional knowledge on the subject of your self-help book?
For the topic of my self-help project there honestly could have been additional forms of knowledge included. If capable I would have liked to run a test based on student surveys for how people view the term “love.” It would have allowed me to include a more credible source of research for my own. Which could later be used to support other claims pertaining to self-love? Contacting researchers and scholars would have been another option for my topic. Allowing a potential partnership for work to be developed and solidified. More research on how the body reacts differently to emotion and critique.
What are the most common techniques explored for self-love? The key factors on why people even consider holding back on loving themselves. It’s often noticed that people tend to put more effort towards others in hope of receiving the same in return. However, in some cases, the result can be completely negative. Not only setting the person in a phase of withdrawal for any chance of improvement. Yet also causing the person to change the way they value themselves or even worst love. Reading biographies and individual reviews on life experiences would allow my writing to be more in depth.
4. Propose an additional chapter to the book you read that would make it even better, being sure to provide a title for the chapter as well as an argument for the benefit of adding this chapter.
The additional chapter I would include for the book I chose to read. Would be title “open” nothing major nor spectacular. The letters each standing for something completely different. O standing for the opposite. Meaning be the opposite of the emotion or situation you are in. Allow your mind, body, and spirit to be in a positive space. The letter P would stand for pride for oneself. Meaning takes pride in the wonderful person you are. Understand that there is absolutely no one exactly like you in this world. The next letter being E would stand for eloquent. Which stands for clearly expressing or indicating something. I would want the reader to take a minute and participate in a writing exercise in the book. Similar to the “window” technique Kamal Ravikant provided.
Giving the reader the opportunity to feel connected and gain the feeling of improvement. N is the final letter of the word “open.” Would stand for never which generally means at no time in the past or future; on no occasion; not ever. This would be the most important principle for the reader being that they would have to commit. The commitment would pertain to them not allowing their past events affect their current ones. Never allowing what they have failed at or suffered from determining how much love to give themselves. Self-love is looked upon as healing process which can sometimes be often confused with conceitedness by those who lack the knowledge. Time, love and dedication are what would conclude this book as a whole in my opinion.