Finding The Kid I Once Knew

Today, I opened my journal and I saw something I once wrote, stating that to love someone is to offer yourself as a currency to be spent for their sake. The statement got me thinking, if this is true, what then does self-love really look like? You see, one of my favorite authors once said, "Life is but a cup of drink." My understanding of this statement is that life is like a cup of drink because we offer ourselves as a drink offering. This rings true because so many times we go the distance for the people we love without thinking twice about it. But then again, how often are we willing to do the same for ourselves? How often are we willing to invest everything we have, be it our time or resources, in the things that actually define who we are? How often do we, for the sake of love, become completely irrational and give our all towards our dreams or our mental health and so on.

To be honest, as I write down these words, it feels as though I am looking into a mirror and taking notes of my reflection. Many times, I find myself unwilling to sacrifice all of me for my own sake. Perhaps it has something to do with unmet expectations resulting from rejection, or simply because things couldn't work out due to timing. On one hand, I could justify or rationalize my attitude towards myself. However, what is love without patience, forgiveness and forbearance? I mean, is it trully possible for me to love myself if I'm unable to grant myself a second chance as many times as I might need it? Because love entails pain and sacrifice, and I believe we must learn to befriend the pain and sacrifice needed to love ourselves. The truth is, to love is to put your life or yourself on the line, and I firmly believe that love cannot exist without faith. So, the problem is that many of us have tragically lost faith in ourselves or, better yet, in the person we once knew ourselves to be. My final words of encouragement to everyone reading this, including myself, would be to take some time out to search for the child trapped within us. And once we do find that child, let's give them the chance to remind us of who we are, enabling us not only to understand ourselves but also to summon the courage to believe in ourselves once again.

Love And Peace To You All.