As many just celebrated Valentine’s day and expressing their love to others through gifts or time, I thought about how much love we give to ourselves. Do you practice self-love? That phrase may have an alternate meaning for some, but I think of it as a way to show concern for the maintenance and well-being of one-self. The word says “…Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.”  Mark 12:31 (KJV). How do you love yourself so that you are able to love others?

You’ve heard the expression, you can’t pour from an empty cup, and if we are to love our neighbors as we love ourselves, how much do you love yourself? I am a giver, and I like to help others whether it be through giving my time or resources, but I’ve also had to take a step back and determine how much I was giving to others and at what cost.   It took me a while to get to self-love. I had to think of it as more than just something I said, and more than just a vacation where I was able to disconnect and clear my mind for a few days, but a daily practice of knowing what I need to create and maintain a healthy regard of my happiness and well-being.

What does this look like for you? Maybe saying no to some things or some people? Speaking positive affirmations about yourself and your future, or even reaffirming what the word of God says about you. Part of this practice for me was not letting what others think/feel about me dictate my day or what decisions I make and what path I choose. Forgetting and denouncing any mis-truths that were spoken to me even as a child while replacing them with new ones that speak to who I am in Christ and creating healthy boundaries that respect me and my-person.

We all know we can’t change the past, but you can start today! Create and speak positive affirmations over yourself, and don’t just speak them believe them. When you start to change the way you think about you, your actions and behaviors will follow. Creating this new or refined space of self-love will produce a change in you and perhaps even those around you, this way we can be at our best for yourself and others.