As I began to love myself
I found that anguish and
emotional suffering are only
warning signs that I was living
against my own truth.
Today, I know, this is Authenticity.
As I began to love myself
I understood how much
it can offend somebody
if I try to force my desires on
this person, even though
I knew the time was not right
and the person was not ready
for it, and even though
this person was me.
Today I call this Respect.
As I began to love myself
I stopped craving for a
different life, and I could see
that everything that surrounded
me was inviting me to grow.
Today I call this Maturity.
As I began to love myself
I understood that at any
circumstance, I am in the
right place at the right time,
and everything happens at the
exactly right moment.
So I could be calm.
Today I call this Self-Confidence.
As I began to love myself
I quit stealing my own time,
and I stopped designing huge
projects for the future.
Today, I only do what brings me
joy and happiness,
things I love to do and that
make my heart cheer,
and I do them in my own way
and in my own rhythm.
Today I call this Simplicity.
As I began to love myself
I freed myself of anything
that is no good for my health;
food, people, things, situations,
and everything that drew me
down and away from myself.
At first I called this attitude
a healthy egoism.
Today I know it is Love of Oneself.
As I began to love myself
I quit trying to always be right,
and ever since,
I was wrong less of the time.
Today I discovered that is Modesty.
As I began to love myself
I refused to go on living in
the past and worrying about
the future.
Now, I only live for the moment,
where everything is happening.
Today I live each day,
day by day,
and I call it Fulfillment.
As I began to love myself
I recognized that my mind
can disturb me and it can
make me sick.
But as I connected it to my heart,
my mind became a valuable ally.
Today I call this connection
Wisdom of the Heart.
We no longer need to fear
arguments, confrontations or
any kind of problems
with ourselves or others.
Even stars collide,
and out of their crashing,
new worlds are born.
Today I know, this is Life.
- Kim and Alison McMillen,
"When I Loved Myself Enough" (2001)
Image: "A Young Woman in Front of a Fireplace", by Delphin Enjolras (1857–1945)
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