Is it wrong to love yourself?

[Feathers in Hair]

You make some excellent point, Cynic.

One thing that can sometimes be difficult for those who have not been through a deep depression to understand is that it is not a mind set, it is not thinking negatively or allowing your failures to control you. It is a very real disease. I wish this weren't the case, but telling people who are truly depressed that they lack self control is exactly like telling diabetics that it is all in their mind. (And I know that's not what you were saying, Cynic. (Or at least it wasn't how I interpreted it.) You were talking about when a situation affects a person, as opposed to actual depression, which is what I thought I could help with.)

It's a bit like asking a person having a panic attack "Why can't you just calm down?" They don't have any more control over it at that moment than a person epilileptic would having a seizure.

I know that's more about people's attitudes toward certain mental illnesses than the topic at hand, but it's something that gets to me sometimes.

 

[joeboonda]

Yeah, ya gotta love yourself, not in an egotistical way, ya know. We can be honest with ourselves, and be aware of our weaknesses, and work on them, and still love ourselves.

When flying, they tell ya put your oxygen mask on before you try to put it on your kids or anyone, because, you gotta take care of yourself first so you are able to save the others.

In my religion, it is emphasized over and over to love one another, even your enemy, I wish more people would do that, and I try so hard to do that myself, its not always easy.

 

[Cynic]

You make some excellent point, Cynic.

One thing that can sometimes be difficult for those who have not been through a deep depression to understand is that it is not a mind set, it is not thinking negatively or allowing your failures to control you. It is a very real disease. I wish this weren't the case, but telling people who are truly depressed that they lack self control is exactly like telling diabetics that it is all in their mind. (And I know that's not what you were saying, Cynic. (Or at least it wasn't how I interpreted it.) You were talking about when a situation affects a person, as opposed to actual depression, which is what I thought I could help with.)

It's a bit like asking a person having a panic attack "Why can't you just calm down?" They don't have any more control over it at that moment than a person epilileptic would having a seizure.

I know that's more about people's attitudes toward certain mental illnesses than the topic at hand, but it's something that gets to me sometimes.

In most cases it is situational, in some it's persistent and uncontrollable (and happens for no reason) and this is due to neurological dysfunctions. My post was towards those that are situational. I say just about the same thing whenever someone in my family starts getting negetive and depressed. It helps them to stop.

I completely understand your point, it was something I was concerned with when writing the post, I just feel compelled to say or do something when people think such things. But I would never tell someone that gets depressed for no apparent reason that it's their mindset.

 

[Feathers in Hair]

In most cases it is situational, in some it's persistent and uncontrollable (and happens for no reason) and this is due to neurological dysfucntions. My post was towards those that are situational. I say just about the same thing whenever someone in my family starts getting negetive and depressed. It helps them to stop.

Very true! The situations that are... erm, situational- it's wonderful to be able to break that pattern of thinking.

 

[Majikthise]

If loving myself is wrong, then I don't want to be right!!:jiggy:

 

[Cynic]

Very true! The situations that are... erm, situational- it's wonderful to be able to break that pattern of thinking.

Well, it wasn't towards anybody specifically, I tried to make general statements. I know I'm not in much of position to say much of anything... I just felt COMPELLED...

 

[Feathers in Hair]

Well, it wasn't towards anybody specifically, I tried to make general statements. I know I'm not in much of position to say much of anything... I just felt COMPELLED...

Mmmmm... RF Compelling... I know it well. (You still made some great points, though!)

 

[Fluffy]

I pretty much hated myself growing up, too. I was convinced that everyone was worthy of respect and love, except for myself. If someone loved me, it was only because they didn't know the real me, or because they were too kind a person.

This is identical to how I used to feel about myself. There are immense benefits to feeling like this of which I used to reap daily. It is wonderfully freeing to admit truly and deeply that one is worth absolutely nothing and useless at everything. I remember that it was the one thing that used to comfort me, the idea that I was so unimportant and my troubles were so pointless to worry about that I found solace right at the depths of my depression.

Seriously I can't emphasise the peacefulness, comfort and complete contentedness I found when I dipped in and out of this way of feeling. It was bliss without the happiness. And it was in a complete abscence of love for myself.

 

[Katzpur]

I borderline hate myself, but by loving yourself too much you are neglecting those around you.

No! Don't say that! You're one of God's kids. He wouldn't want you to hate yourself.

 

[Feathers in Hair]

Is it okay if I love all of you? *huge, hopefully-healing hugs*

 

[Fluffy]

How could I turn down an offer like that? And I have plenty to go around so have a lot of love back Feathers, you kind hearted person!

 

[joeboonda]

Fluffy, I dig where you were coming from, its kinda like 'life is but a vapor', we see our humanity, and how we are but one of billions of people, it does give a sense of peace, and compassion. Then on the other side, I get a sense of peace in feeling there is someone out there that loves me more than I could ever know or imagine. Peace....(falls asleep in bliss)......

 

[EnhancedSpirit]

It's Ok to love yourself, as long as you don't expect anything in return. And don't be 'IN LOVE' with yourself, pride commeth before a fall, just love unconditonally.

 

[Katzpur]

Is it okay if I love all of you? *huge, hopefully-healing hugs*

You have to use that wonderful phrase "Blessed be." I just love it when pagans say that to me!