You can't have a feeling without first having a thought. Most of us have talked to ourselves in such negative ways for years we actually start to believe we are nothing. About a year and a half ago I started to really "listen" to how I talked to myself.  I was shocked.  No wonder I was depressed and felt I didn't deserve to live.  It took great effort to overcome my negative thought patterns.

This list of Happy and Healthy Thoughts was my starting point.  Reading this daily was like taking baby steps.  However, as I practiced daily reading and reinforcing new thought patterns I began to feel better.  I posted a copy on my refrigerator, in the bathroom and I still carry a copy in my Day timer.  Now, when I catch myself "dumping" on me, I try to correct those self-defeating thoughts.

Read this everyday.  Post them where you can see them. Carry a copy in your organizer, purse or pocket.  It will lift your spirits.

I am a unique and precious human being, always doing  the best I can, always growing in wisdom and love.

I don't need to prove myself to anyone, not even to  myself, for I know that I am perfectly fine as I am.

I make my own decisions and assume responsibility for  any mistakes.  However, I refuse to feel shame or guilt  about them.  I do the best I can, and this 100 percent  is good enough.

I am not my actions, I am the actor.  My actions may be  good or bad.  That does not make me good or bad.

Whenever I am tempted to punish myself, I remember  to be kind and gentle instead.  I know that in  order to be the best I can be, I need forgiveness and understanding.

I know that it is okay to need.  I try to keep in  touch with my needs so that I can respond to them. 

I know that others cannot be expected to read my  mind or to guess my needs.  In fairness to them  and to me, I ask for what I need.

I deserve to be appreciated.  When others show their  appreciation, I embrace it with open arms.  I  never try to deny or diminish my value.

I live one day at a time and do first things first.

I take great pride in what I do, in what I value  and in the way I live for I truly believe in myself.

My mistakes and nonsuccess do not make me aloes, a failure, or whatever.  They only prove that I am  imperfect, that is human.  It is wonderful to be    human.

I love myself, absolutely and unconditionally, for that is what I truly need and deserve.