The Practice of Self-Acceptance

Self-acceptance is the second pillar of self-esteem. Without it, it's impossible to build a healthy and adequate self-esteem.

SELF-ACCEPTANCE MEANS THAT I CHOOSE TO VALUE MYSELF, TO TREAT MYSELF WITH RESPECT AND TO STAND UP FOR MY RIGHT TO EXIST.

Self-acceptance is acceptance of any emotion or behavior that I experienced, expressed or demonstrated. It isn't necessarily an emotion or behavior that I like, but anyways it's an expression of me, which occurred at the time.

If I am feeling pain or anger, I am feeling it. If I am thinking about disturbing thoughts, I am thinking them, etc. - what is true, is true. I don't deny or rationalize. I accept my experience. If I have done something that later made me ashamed, the fact is that I have done it.

Accepting does not encourage undesired behavior but REDUCES THE LIKELIHOOD OF IT RECURRING.