Do you love yourself?

Today I began brainstorming with a team of public health advocates the design of electronic health resources to connect at-risk youth with the health care system.

And as the various leaders and experts around the room shared, with passion, their ideas of how  to 'solve' the problems that adolescents face as they 'drop out' of the healthcare system, I was struck by one comment - "any curriculum we build must teach the value of self." I could not agree more!

Last year I started a new empowerment movement called "I Love You, Me!" that is designed to empower young people around the world, especially young women, to learn to love themselves.

In my work with addictions and eating disorders and obesity I noticed that many of my clients didn't even feel they were worthy of attention and nurturing. When you suffer from a lack of self-love you are less likely to take care of yourself, abstain from unhealthy behaviors and resist temptatoin to 'self-medicate' with food, drugs, alcohol, sex, gambling or shopping. 

So as you look to embrace an empowered lifestyle, I ask, do YOU love yourself?

Check out my other blog at www.ILoveYouMe.com

PS: I co-wrote a beautiful song that includes a mirror meditation on self-love - check it out!

www.MySpace.com/dreahsound