Choosing to Write About Self-Love
Without any prior planning, I got up today and decided to write about This Is Me. It’s a reflection on self-love and self-acceptance. I’m not even sure who it’s for—except that each of us must eventually accept who we are and learn to love that person. Why write about this? Because life truly begins with loving yourself. If you never reach that point and are always trying to become someone else, you fall out of alignment with nature. Acceptance, forgiveness, and understanding all play a role in bringing you back. These are life-supporting levels of consciousness.
Appreciating Who You Are
Appreciation also matters—appreciation for whatever you can do. You might not be able to do much in comparison to others, but appreciate what you are capable of. Be kind to yourself and recognize that your abilities don’t need to match anyone else’s. If you can’t sing, try singing anyway. If you struggle to relax, practice it. Try some breathing or meditation exercises. If you want to look a certain way, dress in a way that reflects that desire. If you want to be more athletic, do the exercises that move you in that direction. You may not reach your ideal, but it’s far better to try than to sit still and claim life never gave you a chance. Being alive is your chance. This is you—your one self to work with.
Healing What You Missed
Life is not equal, of course. Your parents and early experiences shape you deeply. They may have given you the wrong information or not enough love. Acknowledge this and take steps to fill in what you missed. People will love you—but you must love yourself first. Recognize what you can do, even if it’s small. Among your mental, emotional, and physical capacities, there is always something you can develop. Can you read a book? Can you write about yourself? Can you keep a journal and learn from it?
Your Capacity to Feel and Grow
I’ve never met anyone who couldn’t do something, even those who are handicapped. Often, people with disabilities express extraordinary love to others. Being human gives you that capacity. The key is to pay attention to your feelings. We all have them, and they can guide us—if we express them and let them lead us to the next step in our lives. You might not be fully conscious of the process, but the movement forward still happens. Just do it.
Daily Check-Ins and Emotional Expression
Simply getting up each day is an accomplishment. It sounds ordinary, but waking up gives you the chance to set your priorities. Sometimes that means choosing self-acceptance—and that is no small achievement. When I wake up, I check in with myself: What am I feeling? What shape is my body in today? Then I try to express whatever needs to come out and stretch to attune myself to my physical state. Some days this is difficult—especially when there is much inside to express or when I feel lost—but it is always worth the effort.
Your Soul Chose You
From a soul perspective, your body was chosen by your soul. It profoundly influences your life—your personality, your tendencies, your strengths and weaknesses. Your soul is your personality, carrying experiences from many lifetimes and certain lessons to learn in this one. Accepting that is essential. There is no way around it—otherwise, you will return again to repeat the same lessons. And who wants that?
Accepting the Lessons You Carry
These lessons are you. Whether you are aggressive or passive, skilled or unskilled, outgoing or quiet—you were chosen. Accept who you are. Every soul loves the body it inhabits; your task is to love yourself in the same way. That means adopting a positive attitude toward whatever unfolds.
