Its not easy

I think the hardest person in the world to really love is myself.  If I can honestly do that I am ahead of most people who seem to harbor a sort of secret contempt for who they are.

When I say contempt I mean they have to make up stories for themselves in order to feel worthy. 

Loving myself means knowing what my strengths and weaknesses really are. Then my self worth doesn't depend on your view of me.

Knowing how I feel and how I act upon those feelings gives me a lot of power.  I don't have to be unkind to others in order to feel okay.  I also don't have to kowtow to their need to make me someone I am not.

It isn't easy to admit my shortcomings and vulnerabilities and it's certainly not safe to reveal them to everyone.  In fact, if I can share all of me with only one person I am way ahead of most people.

No one really likes to be around door mats or power mongers because they make us feel uncomfortable.  When life becomes a constant struggle to stand on my own two feet because I am afraid of taking advantage of someone, or in fear of being squashed, self-preservation causes me to step away.

Strength comes in knowing myself well enough that I can stand tall and steadfast, bending in the wind, shading the weakest while keeping myself rooted firmly in what I believe.

But first I have to know what that is and honor it.