“Let yourself be loved! The soul cannot live without love because love is the stuff she’s made of, and through love God has created her." (St. Elizabeth of the Trinity & St. Caterina of Siena)
There's the cognitive decision or position, possibly the declaration and/or intention, a philosophical assent to love oneself yet the loving of oneself and others is manifested in action. To love oneself is to desire the best for yourself and then work at providing it. Faith without works is dead. Loving oneself is providing good healthy food, rest, entertainment, companions, education, spiritual exercises, etc.
I agree, John! To love oneself means to take care of oneself, that's crucial. Yet it goes beyond exterior acts. We need to love ourselves not just with our heads or actions, but deep inside our hearts. This goes beyond providing oneself with healthy foods, rest, etc. (all of which are a part of it), and into the realm of pure acceptance in all ways. We must let ourselves be loved as Christ loves us, which is a Love we cannot even comprehend because it's so great. Abiding in His side--in His heart--we find the truth of Love, and so we're able to truly love in return.
There's the cognitive decision or position, possibly the declaration and/or intention, a philosophical assent to love oneself yet the loving of oneself and others is manifested in action. To love oneself is to desire the best for yourself and then work at providing it. Faith without works is dead. Loving oneself is providing good healthy food, rest, entertainment, companions, education, spiritual exercises, etc.
Agree/disagree? Thoughts?
I agree, John! To love oneself means to take care of oneself, that's crucial. Yet it goes beyond exterior acts. We need to love ourselves not just with our heads or actions, but deep inside our hearts. This goes beyond providing oneself with healthy foods, rest, etc. (all of which are a part of it), and into the realm of pure acceptance in all ways. We must let ourselves be loved as Christ loves us, which is a Love we cannot even comprehend because it's so great. Abiding in His side--in His heart--we find the truth of Love, and so we're able to truly love in return.
Love is Incarnate, en-fleshed, tangible...not just theoretical 😁
Beautiful -- yes!
I need to be reminded of this quite often!
One cannot give what one does not have. If I don't love myself, I don't have love to give to others. I pray for this gift of love every day!
Beautiful!!!