Self love is probably the most valuable element of self which should be nurtured and appear as a strong force within you throughout your life. Self love is by no means selfish, nor is it at all arrogant or narcissistic. It is in fact selfless and humble. It is what will both save ourselves from our own personal hell and the world from its harsh realities.
When you are filled with love towards yourself you are then more capable and driven to pass that love onto others.
When you are filled with love towards yourself you are then more capable and driven to pass that love onto others.
"Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness is never decreased by being shared." |
Self love should be unconditional and not reliant on anyone outside yourself. It will always be present within you regardless of outside circumstances. Therefore, it gives you the strength to live life.
It gives you the strength to fall in love because you are not as afraid to loose as you know you can love the person you will be left with. Therefore, self love creates relationships free of neediness or dependence. Our obsession to find that one special relationship to 'complete' us is in fact one of our big psychic wounds. We must first strive to find completeness within ourselves instead of needing another person to fulfil that personal unity. Then two holistic beings will join in love for the purpose of love and not driven by the need to fill the separateness within you.
It gives you the courage to commit to something with the possibility of failure as you will protect yourself from your disappointment developing into self-hate. Self love equips you with the courage to step out of your comfort zone because we are less afraid of failure. We would not be desperate to succeed for the approval of others; we would instead be motivated for our own sense of achievement which would not be diminished with failure. A being of self love would take failure is an invitation to try again as the failure does not define you. Love casts out fear in the same way as light casts out darkness.
It may not directly mend the more complex problems on earth. However, when considering that internal feelings of hatred and anger causes hurtful actions, self love would then address the real source of the problem which exists on the level of consciousness. Our feelings towards ourselves will determine how we treat others, which, when multiplied by billions of people who set up institutions that determine our well being is paramount in creating a better world. To address the worlds problems is extrmeely necessary and important, yet it is only a temporary palliative. It is a treatment of the symptoms, not the cause, and for long lasting and genuine positive change we need a global healing; not a fix. I believe this starts in changing the internal relationship towards ourselves.
It may not directly mend the more complex problems on earth. However, when considering that internal feelings of hatred and anger causes hurtful actions, self love would then address the real source of the problem which exists on the level of consciousness. Our feelings towards ourselves will determine how we treat others, which, when multiplied by billions of people who set up institutions that determine our well being is paramount in creating a better world. To address the worlds problems is extrmeely necessary and important, yet it is only a temporary palliative. It is a treatment of the symptoms, not the cause, and for long lasting and genuine positive change we need a global healing; not a fix. I believe this starts in changing the internal relationship towards ourselves.
We will all still inevitably feel anger, sadness, disappointment and regret. That is inevitable; we are all human. However, self love will protect us from when things go badly or when we feel little love from the outside and will create a more loving world. It will remind us that just because other things are bad or we did something does't mean that we are. Having this protective force present within you will illuminate you and follow you through whatever stage or development of life you are. Let it grow and let it bring more love to you. ♥