My Dad, in the way of Dads, can repeat certain phrases (over and over, haha). He calls these “Sleeisms” at this point, because he has incorporated so many of these over the years from things he has read, or movies he has watched, or anecdotes, etc. Other than the line from Snowy River that was starting to drive my Mom absolutely up a tree (“Broaden your mind: have another beer. Have two!”), most of these were simple truths about life. The most fundamental of these was that “before you can love anyone else, you have to love yourself.” This has been varied with other words, “before you can value anyone else, you have to value yourself.” Or, “after me, you’re first!” 🙂 So, the philosophy for this Friday is the “loving others, but loving yourself, too” thought. There isn’t any such thing as too much love. Although, if you ask me, we are definitely suffering a shortage of it in the world right now.

“I have an everyday religion that works for me. Love yourself first, and everything else falls into line.” ~ Lucille Ball

“Love other human beings as you would love yourself.” ~ Ho Chi Minh

“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.” ~ Buddha

“Self-care is never a selfish act—it is simply good stewardship of the only gift I have, the gift I was put on earth to offer to others.” ~ Parker Palmer

“Be faithful to that which exists within yourself.” ~ Andre Gide

And, after all of this, perhaps it is important to ask the question:

“What is love? Love is the absence of judgment.” ~ Dalai Lama

Love yourself, and love your neighbor, never waste an opportunity in enmity when it could be spent in love.

Blessings to you all. Never give up.