PAUSE
Bring your attention to the sensations of breathing in your body where it is most clear to you for the next three breaths
As I Began to Love Myself
As I began to love myself I found that anguish and emotional suffering are only warning signs that I was living against my own truth. Today, I know, this is “AUTHENTICITY”.
As I began to love myself I understood how much it can offend somebody as I try to force my desires on this person, even though I knew the time was not right and the person was not ready for it, and even though this person was me. Today I call it “RESPECT”.
As I began to love myself I stopped craving for a different life, and I could see that everything that surrounded me was inviting me to grow. Today I call it “MATURITY”.
As I began to love myself I understood that at any circumstance, I am in the right place at the right time, and everything happens at exactly the right moment. So I could be calm. Today I call it “SELF-CONFIDENCE”.
As I began to love myself I quit steeling my own time, and I stopped designing huge projects for the future. Today, I only do what brings me joy and happiness, things I love to do and that make my heart cheer, and I do them in my own way and in my own rhythm. Today I call it “SIMPLICITY”.
As I began to love myself I freed myself of anything that is no good for my health – food, people, things, situations, and everything that drew me down and away from myself. At first I called this attitude a healthy egoism. Today I know it is “LOVE OF ONESELF”.
As I began to love myself I quit trying to always be right, and ever since I was wrong less of the time. Today I discovered that is “MODESTY”.
As I began to love myself I refused to go on living in the past and worrying about the future. Now, I only live for the moment, where EVERYTHING is happening. Today I live each day, day by day, and I call it “FULFILLMENT”.
As I began to love myself I recognized that my mind can disturb me and it can make me sick. But as I connected it to my heart, my mind became a valuable ally. Today I call this connection “WISDOM OF THE HEART”.
We no longer need to fear arguments, confrontations or any kind of problems with ourselves or others. Even stars collide, and out of their crashing, new worlds are born. Today I know THAT IS “LIFE”!
-Charlie Chaplin
This poem was written by Charlie Chaplin when he was 70 years old.
Sometimes, an inspirational poem calls to be read a second time or even a third time. If this is true for you with this poem, then you may choose to click on either or both of the following two video links.
The words of “As I Began to Love Myself” accompanied by a beautiful instrumental rendition of Led Zeppelin’s “All of my Love” http://youtu.be/yX6oWXrfQF4
“As I Began to Love Myself” read aloud, accompanied by exquisite images of nature and people in everyday life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62oby83NtGw
Wishing you a peaceful and mindful day
Lee
M. Lee Freedman, MD, CM, FRCP(C)
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