Self-Love

Last Friday, a coworker and I decided to eat out for lunch. While waiting for our food to arrive we started talking, as we usually did. She was quieter than usual, and looked confused about something. When  I asked her what the matter was, she asked me a question that made rendered me speechless.


What does it mean to love yourself?

This was not a question you ask someone over burgers and iced tea in the middle of a fast food restaurant. My hungry stomach and overworked brain were not ready. But more than that, she had asked me a question I've been wrestling with since the new year, so I was a bit surprised to hear the words out loud.

We all know the cliche: you can't ask others to love you if you can't love yourself. The question that remains, however, is how? It really depends on who you ask, apparently. Some would say it's losing some weight, taking some "me" time, getting a makeover, traveling the world, doing things for yourself that make you feel good at least once a day, those sorts of things. But how would we know the difference between a genuine expression of self-love and an empty gesture?

I don't really have a clue. Thing is, I had hoped that by writing out my thoughts would help, but it seems as if I'd only made a map of my confusion and made it public.

Oh well, here's a picture I took of some hot-air balloons. I don't know what to call it yet.

Should I have added a watermark? You wouldn't take this photo and not give me credit, would you?