“Whatever you are doing, love yourself for doing it. Whatever you are feeling, love yourself for feeling it – Thaddeus Golas

“I am a beloved child of the universe and the universe lovingly takes care of me now.”- Louise Hay

We celebrate Abe and Martin’s birthday with a national holiday. I’d like to propose today, October 8, as an international holiday to honor another great soul: Louise Hay who has devoted her life to love and teaching so many of us that there is nothing more valuable than to love and respect ourselves—just as we are—no matter what.

I was witness to her legacy the past two weekends at I Can Do It!’s in Rotterdam and London. Over and over, I heard speakers reflecting back Louise’s words, from Anita Moorjani, author of Dying to Be Me, who said the most significant lesson she learned from her near-death experience was to love herself to Jessica Ortner, author of The Tapping Solution for Weight Loss and Body Confidence, who wisely pointed out, “We can never hate ourselves thin.”

So today, in honor of Ms. Hay’s 88th birthday, I’d like to encourage everyone who reads this post to get up, walk to the closest mirror, look yourself deep in the eyes and remind yourself how deeply and passionately you are loved.

Happy Birthday, Louise, and thank you for rocking the love.

Pam Grout, whose brilliant daughter Taz is also celebrating her birthday today, is the author of 17 books including E-Squared: 9 Do-it-Yourself Energy Experiments that Prove Your Thoughts Create Your Reality and the just-released sequel, E-Cubed, 9 More Experiments that Prove Mirth, Magic and Merriment is your Full-time Gig.