Self-Love

Self-love is the foundation of living FAT LUCK successfully. It’s not vanity, indulgence, or ignoring the ways I can grow. Self-love is the deliberate, daily choice to treat myself with the same FAT LUCK I offer others. It is seeing myself honestly, embracing my flaws, and honoring my path.

Even though I had long ago made amends to myself, I still viewed myself as a failure in life. Of course, that wasn’t true, but I continued carrying the insecurity of not being good enough. I felt sad that I still saw myself this way.

Then it hit me. My God, I’m not treating myself with FAT LUCK on a daily basis at all. I could see how much self-judgment and self-pity I had still been holding onto over the years. Before I could totally show up for others, I first had to accept my own humanness, forgive myself, and choose a different way of living. That awareness alone was mind-blowing. I thought, “From this moment on, I’ll treat myself with FAT LUCK the same way I’ve been treating others.”

When I began practicing self-love, I realized it wasn’t about feeling good all the time. It was recognizing that that I am worthy of compassion, forgiveness, and love—even when I fall short of my own expectations. It was about responding to myself with FAT LUCK instead of reacting with criticism. I learned to pause when self-criticism crept in, to speak to myself as I would a friend, and to make room for compassion, forgiveness, and love.

Self-love does not mean arrogance or self-centeredness. It simply means acknowledging my value as a human being and learning to speak to myself with kindness rather than constant criticism.

Practicing self-love helped me replace that criticism with love, compassion, and kindness. The more I learned to treat myself with love, compassion, and kindness, the easier it became to extend that same love, compassion, and kindness to others.

Self-love isn’t a destination for me—it’s a daily practice.

A Simple Reflection

Ask yourself:

Do I speak to myself with the same love, compassion, and kindness that I try to offer others?

Ask a Question About Self-Love

If you are practicing the virtues in Living a FAT LUCK Life and have a question about self-love, you are welcome to ask it here. You may leave just your first name and last initial. We respect everyone’s anonymity. All information and comments are kept private.

If you would prefer to ask a question privately, you are welcome to email me directly at gerry@livingfatluck.com.