Recently on my Facebook I asked people some simple questions about the concept of Self-Love.
What is self love? What is its importance? If everyone followed it would world become a better place or worse?
I was completely amazed at how difficult it was for people to talk about Self-Love without bringing the notions of society, duty, and some element of fear our guilt of not wanting to be selfish.
The society has done an excellent job of “conditioning” us enough that we worry a lot before we care for ourselves. Add to that a lot of spiritual talk that is grounded in notion of “we are all one” and I see many people simply entangled in this web so much so that neither they or others can be happy.
Self Love is NOT Selfishness
First and foremost we need to get beyond the notion that somehow “Self Love” is Selfishness or creates a conflict with others or society. The notion of self love has absolutely nothing to do with others! It is only about how you treat your self in your mind and actions. Whether you respect yourself enough? Whether you can look at your own strengths and weaknesses compassionately! and in the end can you be a “true friend” to yourself!
Here are two of the definitions of Self-Love I got from my Facebook friends that resonated with me:
Gaurima Yadav
Self love to me means accepting myself implicitly, acknowledging my strengths and weaknesses wholeheartedly and embracing my own Self ALWAYS by living in sync with my values, my innervoice….
To me it is a crucial component for a fulfilling life. True Self-love allows us to be free to love and be loved. It’s only when we love ourself truly can wee love All.
Hemani Jayaswal
If I love myself truly together with my virtues and vices I will be able to love the other person too with his / her unique self . If I am unhappy or dissatisfied or torn within i cannot be a source of love for another , hence self love is the foundation . Nothing egoistic about it , self love is where confidence , empathy , friendship , respect for others originates . I m the mirror which reflects — I have to b shining myself to radiate happiness
Know that the path to Universal Love starts with starting to Love Oneself. When you make a decision to love yourself, you are really saying that you want to come alive. You accept that you are responsible for the outcomes that you experience in your life and would like yourself to shine from living a fulfilling life. Once we have oodles of self love, it simplify overflows as love – love for all and we automatically inspire and create for Joy for All.
This is completely true Anil!!!!…totally agree with this concept!!!