Joyce Meyer a well known  television preacher said she had read in a book that "people who lack self-discipline are plagued by self loathing." Or something very similar to that.  It has been ringing in my ears ever since. I've always been self-motivated.  If something needed changing in my life I worked hard to change it.  As soon as it came to my attention it got locked in my sights.

I've always struggled with wanting to be perfect but the upside of the struggle is I am always perfecting.  Not good with people? No problem, I put myself out there.  I payed attention to what put me off, what offended others and I mastered it...As soon as someone told me that skinny doesn't mean "healthy" I started working out and got good advice about what I should and shouldn't be eating and I'm sticking with both.

I'm not sure how to motivate those who are not motivated. I've had days where I buried myself under my pillow and refused to address the land of the living, but more often than not when that inner voice says, "just sleep in, stay in bed..." I say , "you shut your face and get out of my way".   Some of us are afraid to talk to ourselves this way.  We might hurt our own feelings, and sometimes that voice sounds so reasonable!  You've got a sore throat don't work out today. No one is coming over the house doesn't need to be picked up, relax.  Don't worry about cooking dinner for your family, you deserve a night off (ouch...the kitchen is my kryptonite). The problem is there is no real pay off when you buy in to the justification.  Do I deserve a night off?  Yes, but I deserve a clean house, a warm healthy meal and a healthy body too... 

I guess my advice would be to start with one thing.  Your health (diet and exercise), your laundry (fold it right out of the dryer), your spouse (be consistent in kissing their face every day), your kids (discipline and affection)...start with one thing and stick with it no matter what until you conquer it.  It is very important to conquer it, because then the finished work stands as a testament to your victory.  Minor or major a victory is a victory. A win is a win, and winners don't usually hate themselves. It becomes a powerful point of reference.  "My laundry never sits on the couch!  I fold it while it's hot!" Insert fist pump and/or neck weave here... 

Self-loathing....I think I know what the opposite is.  Self-confidence.  I reek of  it.  I'm not bragging, it just seems to be the dominant by-product of discipline.  It is not just personality either.  Discipline is a fruit of the Spirit as is self-control.  Good stuff the Spirit of God has to offer. So jump on the "D" train.  Get disciplined, because when self-confidence comes, you feel as though you can do anything, you can master anything with time and discipline and you love yourself in a healthy way.   
  
I confess as I type this my house is a filthy mess.  Mostly because I haven't been disciplined in training my kids to pick up after themselves.  Today I'm giving myself permission, no, I'm insisting that I be disciplined in following through...What one thing do you choose? What makes you loathe yourself the most?  That might be the starting line.

Start today.