Love Your Neighbour as You Love Yourself

I’ve been told, “It’s important to like yourself because everywhere you go you take yourself with you.” Contentment in life starts with liking yourself.

The Bible says in Leviticus 19:18 to “Love your neighbour as you love yourself.” Approving of yourself and enjoying your own company is a gift you give yourself. Getting to know your likes and dislikes, your strengths and your weaknesses, is an important part of understanding yourself. Having a sense of security and feeling like you belong are all part of endorsing yourself.

If you do not accept yourself or approve of yourself, it is difficult to receive anything from others. Forgetting yourself and giving to others with no strings attached, can only come when you love yourself. Remember that people respect us in direct proportion to how much we respect ourselves.

Each one of us are created with gifts and talents to offer the world. It’s up to you if you develop your gifts and put them to use.. Select and develop your best talent. Develop a clear image of what you want by seeing it with your physical eyes. Get a clear vision in your minds eye of your purpose.

Don’t wait for perfect conditions, take action and start now. Surround yourself with people who will support you. Commit yourself and focus your energy. If there are things you hate about yourself – do what you can to change those things. Once you decide what you will do, the way to do it will unfold. It takes time to invest in change. Be consistent and persistent.

In 1983 I felt that the only talent I had was the gift of encouragement, but I was too shy, fearful and insecure to talk to people. I hated being so shy and I decided I would change. I decided to force myself to learn how to talk in front of people.

Because I was involved in the church, I had opportunity to give announcements. Sunday after Sunday I would make a complete fool of myself. I would turn all red in the face, forget what I was to say, my body would shake from being so nervous and I could not look at anyone.

My husband, Bob, told me he felt nervous just watching me. I joined Toastmasters and I did every thing I could to overcome my fear of public speaking. I began to encourage myself in the process of change. It is just in the last three years now that I feel like I can finally stand in a crowd of people and say something worth listening to. But it would have never happened if I got discouraged and gave up.

Enthusiasm plus action equals success. Instead of complaining about your weaknesses, change them and develop your talents.

Learn to be a friend to yourself so that you can love others as you love yourself.