First Things First

About "First Things First"

This is a shorty but goody, one of my first pieces. It's straight and to the point about loving yourself. It's “First Things First” because before you can give or receive love, you must find and cultivate it within yourself. Self-love is not the same as self-absorption or self-centeredness. It does not require denying ugly or unwanted truths about ourselves. It is simply what the two words together imply, loving yourself.
It doesn't always come easy, especially when we are going through rough patches. It is something that we must take the time to do. We have to actively love on ourselves even if just to renew our spirits. We must love ourselves so that ultimately, we know how to love others well.
Love is what God is all about. After all, God is love. That in and of itself should tell us how important it is to our being. Love yourself, even when you don't always like yourself.

First Things First

I love myself!
I’m enamored with myself-
   one of the best people I know!
Even when I can’t stand myself, 
​  I still love me so!

Self absorbed a little, 
   vain a little more, 
  pride is easily evident, 
  yet confidence sometimes a chore.

I can’t offer love to anyone 
  if I can’t discern it first in me.
Self love should be priority, 
  not heeded as conceit.

My faults are easily visible-
  I can name more than you, 
   I still have to love myself
  regardless of what ensues.

If you don’t cherish yourself 
  thoroughly enough 
  to savor the contents of this rhyme, 
  life presents opportunity to change.

This testimony is mine.

"First Things First" is an excerpt from Candidreams: I Remember the Beginning