We have been given the gift of life. It really is a precious gift and should be treated that way. Have you ever seriously thought about what you really want out of your life? If you are not satisfied with yourself, your job and your marriage, what would it take to make you satisfied? Better looks? More money? What?

These would probably satisfy you temporarily, but what do you do then? Would you keep moving through your list trying to fill that void, not knowing what will satisfy it? What is the one thing, yes, just one that would satisfy us all to be fully content? Addictions are created in replacement of it. Songs and poems have been written about it. Wars have been fought because of it. Our state of well-being depends on it. Our hearts long for it.

Love.

We seek love from the day we are born. If as babies we were denied love, we would be scarred for life. Being loved the way we need to be loved affects how we look at ourselves, which in turn affects how we look at others. We find it hard to understand love or satisfy others with love if we aren’t satisfied ourselves. We then try to transfer the blame for your lack of love. “If only I was richer,” “if only I was better looking,” If only….” It could go on forever. All this self-doubt is created by lack of love.

We crave love so much that when we are denied it we turn against ourselves thinking, “I’m not worthy of loving.” We must realize that the first place we have to turn to receive the love we need is within ourselves. We must accept that everyone is worthy of love. Everyone, everywhere, starts out the same, babies looking for love. The sooner we realize the value of loving ourselves, the sooner you will have a satisfying life. Satisfaction can never come from having the best looks, the most money, the biggest house or the most jewelry. Satisfaction comes from within your souls, love and acceptance of you by yourself.

Most of the acts committed against society are not done out of hatred of the society, they are done by hatred of themselves. They don’t realize that they are worthy of love so their need of love makes them do things to get negative attention. It becomes a sad cycle.

The same is true in a marriage. It’s important to love each other…. it’s vital to love yourself. A marriage cannot survive with out you loving yourself. That is your contribution to the marriage. If you are divorcing and having self-doubt wondering “why does my spouse hate me so much that they could have done…" STOP! Your spouse doesn’t hate you, your spouse hates them self. You didn’t do anything to warrant any mistreatment. Do not accept any guilt! Do not doubt yourself! Continue with your determination that you are worthy of love.

The love you have for yourself is not dependant on the love of others, but the love you have for others is dependant on the love you have for yourself.