We've all heard the phrase that we must L❤️VE ourselves before we can truly love another. But have you ever wondered what the heck does loving yourself truly mean and what does that look like?
A friend sent me something on the eve of my most recent birthday. It answered that question and painted a picture of the life I wish for and hope to be living.
Charlie Chaplin wrote this poem on his 70th birthday. When I first read these words, I felt my heart leap open and my spirit soar. It inspired me tremendously and I just had to share this profound declaration with you. I know it will ring true for many of you who also feel you have grown with age.
When I started loving myself
I understood that at any circumstance,
I am in the right place at the right time, and everything
happens at exactly the right moment.
So I could be calm.
Today I call it "TRUST."
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
as 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 it "LETTING GO."
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 it "MATURITY."
As I began to love myself
I quit steeling 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 it "SIMPLICITY."
As I began to love myself
I freed myself of anything
that is not 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 egotism",
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've been wrong less of the time.
Today I've discovered this is "MODESTY"
As I began to love myself
I refused to go on living in the past
and worry about my 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 and others.
Even stars collide and out of their crashing new worlds are born.
Today I know: THAT IS "LIFE!"
(Charlie Chaplin, April 16, 1959)
Wishing you the courage to trust life, be good to yourself, live with compassion &
LOVE YOURSELF!
❤️Patti
A friend sent me something on the eve of my most recent birthday. It answered that question and painted a picture of the life I wish for and hope to be living.
Charlie Chaplin wrote this poem on his 70th birthday. When I first read these words, I felt my heart leap open and my spirit soar. It inspired me tremendously and I just had to share this profound declaration with you. I know it will ring true for many of you who also feel you have grown with age.
When I started loving myself
I understood that at any circumstance,
I am in the right place at the right time, and everything
happens at exactly the right moment.
So I could be calm.
Today I call it "TRUST."
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
as 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 it "LETTING GO."
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 it "MATURITY."
As I began to love myself
I quit steeling 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 it "SIMPLICITY."
As I began to love myself
I freed myself of anything
that is not 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 egotism",
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've been wrong less of the time.
Today I've discovered this is "MODESTY"
As I began to love myself
I refused to go on living in the past
and worry about my 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 and others.
Even stars collide and out of their crashing new worlds are born.
Today I know: THAT IS "LIFE!"
(Charlie Chaplin, April 16, 1959)
Wishing you the courage to trust life, be good to yourself, live with compassion &
LOVE YOURSELF!
❤️Patti