Quote:
Originally Posted by loug
Hey everyone,
As I read through the Gospel of Luke last night, I couldn't help but reflect over the 'Golden Rule':
Yes, I am supposed to love my neighbors, but I am supposed to love them as I love myself
It's a paradox. I can forgive someone who wrongs me, but, myself? That's a little more difficult. We are our own worst critics. We hold ourselves to standards that perhaps are far out of our reach. I often ponder over this. Do I think I'm superhuman? Do I just dislike myself? Or, worse yet: Do I think I'm better than others? These are questions I still have yet to answer, and I honestly believe it's a life worth of work!
But, now? I'm going easier on myself.
My friends, I urge you all to love your neighbors. But always remember: the way you love them should be the same way you love yourself. Treat yourself with the same kindness and respect you treat others. Forgive yourself the same way you would forgive a friend.
After all: We are a people forgiven.
GPL
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A friend of mine who is familiar with the Hebrew language says that often within Hebrew, the MOST important is added to the end of the sentence, thus Jesus was commanding us to love ourselves. A very hard thing for some of us to do, for sure. I find myself so often being critical. A constant statement I'll make to myself is, "How can you be so stupid," or "that was stupid." Now I would NEVER ever say that to someone else, but it just comes out to easily. I don't believe, I've ever met a bigot who really loved themselves, so it seems to me that bigotry and hatred arise from a deep lack of self esteem.
kara