There are many people on this planet who will tell us that self-love is selfish. That we should focus on loving and caring for others, on making a difference.

And ... there are plenty of people who will respond with the airplane analogy of how we must put on our own oxygen mask before helping others, or remind us that we cannot fill someone else’s glass if our own vessel is empty.

Those analogies are true... But there is SO much more to self-love.

Self-love is the catalyst that creates the changes we desire ... in our own lives and the world.

And, on the flip side, lack of self-love is the catalyst creating the problems we see ... in our own lives and the world.

Self-love—and lack of self-love—profoundly affects:

• Our body, mind, emotions and spirit

• Our ability to experience abundance, safety, comfort and belonging

• Our self-talk

• The way we hear/receive what others say and do

• Our ability to appreciate our own uniqueness

• Our ability to appreciate others’ uniqueness (aka diversity and inclusion)

• Our ability to discern when to stay and when to leave, including at work and in relationships

• Our physical health, weight and aging

• The work we do

• Our relationships, and so much more

Self-love is THAT powerful.

And lack of self-love is THAT debilitating.

(Photo by Ava Sol on Unsplash)