Be Proud

This is your card reading for Friday, July 10th/15.  Your card flew out of the 'Spirit Messages' deck, authored by John Holland.  Your card is 'Be Proud', and John's message for the card is this:
"It's time to celebrate all that you've achieved, all that you are, and all that you will become! Every once in a while, it's important to stop and acknowledge what you've achieved and to be proud...
We are so proud of you.  The Spirit World wants you to stop right now and listen! We want you to honour the hard work you've done and pat yourself on the back.  Whether you've moved through a difficult or painful situation, achieved significant success at work, conquered a new skill, learned a favorite sport, or simply that you just let go of everything that was holding you back for your highest good, this card is letting you know how vital it is to honour and acknowledge yourself by feeling proud.
Pause for a few minutes and hold this card.  Enjoy the moment while you bask in your own pride, as you let the warmth of that feeling wash over you; and as you do, you feel the sense of accomplishment and smile for the whole world to see.  Right now it's all about celebrating your successes.  Once again, be proud of how far you have come and have faith in how far you can go!"

My message for you today is this:
This message from Spirit is a beautiful way to close the week!  Rather than 'hold this card', as John suggests in his message above, you may lay your hand upon the card in the image here; or simply gaze upon it for a moment, and allow yourself to bask in appreciation of SELF.  
Some may say that to take pride in yourself and your accomplishments is 'self-serving'---you bet it is!  It is important to honour yourself!  Having a healthy attitude of self worth is crucial in approaching your life from an empowered and loving place!  How can you TRULY love and honour others if you don't first love and honour yourself?  Frankly, too often we spend our time in self-criticism and judgment; rather than in realizing and recognizing our accomplishments and successes.  We attempt to keep ourselves small, so as not to seem too 'full of ourselves' or 'conceited'.  There is a considerable difference in the energy behind being PROUD and being CONCEITED.  Pride is energetically fuelled by self-worth; and conceit is energetically fuelled by a lack of self-worth.  When you hold pride in yourself you are confident and positive in your approach to life and your endeavors.  When you are boastful you are actually attempting to compensate for a lack of confidence and self-esteem.
So...BE PROUD and do so unashamedly!  Take some moments today to pay tribute to YOU and all that you bring to the world! The world would not be the same without you in it and that is the TRUTH!  The Divine views you as perfect, in all your imperfections!  Afford yourself that same perspective.
Just for today, set aside those niggling little self-criticisms that you sometimes place upon yourself.  Set aside any disappointments and even any hurts.  Allow today to be about the positives that you have experienced, and reside in that energy.  Choose today: to celebrate all that you are, all that you have been, and all that you will become!  Honour YOU!
Blessed be...