HOW MUCH DO YOU LOVE YOURSELF?

I had my standards and few rules...Oh yes I did. 

But I heard this doctrine from a church that taught 'don't judge a man based on all you see today.  Always trust God and see his prospects'.  That was the message.

Do not get me wrong.  Ain't nothing wrong with being with a struggling man and encourage him.

But you see those standards you've had even before dating; they were there for a reason.  Do not despise them.

Those "i's" that need to be doted and "t's" that need to be crossed should be attended to.

Any relationship that requires you to lose yourself for your partner to find himself or herself is toxic.

The society is highly fixated on teaching that satisfaction in life is dependent on 'that other person'.  We are not taught to stand up for ourselves, say no to being treated unfairly or walking away heads up from abuse. 

I look forward to a new narrative where men and women would stand up for themselves, stand up for the truth, love themselves first and dearly. 

You see, I realized that when you truly love yourself; you won't allow just anybody into your life.  Your life and space becomes a treasured place where only calmness and sanity is allowed to thrive.

Let the narrative change with you.  Teach yourself, your children and everyone around.  Let the message be passed on - you must learn to love and treasure yourself before any other person.

Remember the scripture that says "love your neighbor as yourself"?  Have you asked yourself: how do I love my neighbor when I haven't loved myself or when I do not know what love is?

Take a moment today to pause and think: DO I LOVE MYSELF THE WAY I WANT TO BE LOVED?