All of us remember the iconic scene from The Great Dictator, in which Charlie Chaplin speaks of the interconnectedness of human beings and how we have destroyed it because of greed. It is a reflection of his true genius. He is the epitome of the phrase “the sound of silence” his humor and intelligence make him a legend.
Often in life, we try to fit in the different roles that society has carved out for us – a daughter, a friend, a wife, a sister and so on. We try to be perfect in each sphere and prepare a mask to meet new people. A time comes when we longer know who we are and what we want because we have centered all our energies towards others.
This is where it is important to take a moment, step back and ponder.
Why would you treat yourself as someone with no value and think you don’t deserve the best? Why does your perception of who you are depending on someone else?
This is because self-love is often seen as selfishness. Your expectations will remain unfulfilled if you are not content with yourself. The world is no “wish-granting factory”. We all are vulnerable and learn from our mistakes, but you have to be your own hero.
This excerpt from Chaplin’s remarkably insightful poem will teach you how to fall in love with yourself:
“As I began to love myself, I found that anguish and emotional suffering are only warning signs that I was living against my own truth.
Today, I know, this is AUTHENTICITY.
As I began to love myself, I understood how much it can offend somebody as I try to force my desires on this person, even though I knew the time was not right and the person was not ready for it and even though this person was me.
Today I call it RESPECT.
As I began to love myself, I stopped craving for a different life, and I could see that everything that surrounded me was inviting me to grow.
Today I call it MATURITY.
As I began to love myself, I understood that at any circumstance, I am in the right place at the right time, and everything happens at exactly the right moment. So I could be calm.
Today I call it CONFIDENCE.
As I began to love myself, I quit stealing my own time, and I stopped designing huge projects for the future. Today, I only do what brings me joy and happiness, things I love to do and that make my heart cheer, and I do them in my own way and in my own rhythm.
Today I call it SIMPLICITY.
As I began to love myself, I freed myself of anything that is no good for my health…food, people, things, situations and everything that drew me down and away from myself. At first, I called this attitude a healthy egoism.
Today I know it is LOVE OF ONESELF.”
