Self-Love Inspiration
There are many quotes and sayings about self-love that I have repeated to myself over the years, or that have been written across my vision board, for the reminder that I am worthy of my self-love. However, there is one in particular that has stuck with me throughout the years and seems to go beyond the rest.
The poem, “As I Began To Love Myself” by Charlie Chaplin paints a beautiful image of the new world you are creating for yourself by loving yourself! I first learned about Charlie Chaplin in a high school film class where I was laughing out loud during one of his silent films. I loved his comedy so much I looked more into who Charlie really was and came across this beautiful poem:
“As I Began To Love Myself” By Charlie Chaplin
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 it “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 it “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 it “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 it “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 “THAT IS LIFE”!
Reflection
What beautiful and wise words on life and self-love from Charlie Chaplin. During his life he worked on making other people happy and now after he has passed, his insights on self-love are still helping us. Reading his words reinforces that everything is temporary and to focus on the positive. But that is just the start of his lessons for us. He teaches us that self-love is also saying no to things that are not good for us and to let go of our fear of failure– because we deserve it! We need to learn to love ourselves and to spread that love with others!
Loving yourself is a marathon, not a sprint. I practice self-care daily in ways that help me stay positive- such as my gratitude journal, being honest about my feelings, and reading. I even keep these positive tasks on my habit tracker to make sure I am taking care of myself the way I deserve to. Reading this poem shows me how timeless the self-love journey truly is and how important this journey is for every single person.
What are your thoughts on the poem “As I Began To Love Myself”? Please comment below and tell me your thoughts and if you relate to his words! If you know someone who could benefit from this article, please show you care and share the bear! Sign up for emails and follow on social media to get the most of the positive world of Brightside Bear!
