I had a plan for the blog this week—I promise. But then, I realized that I’m steering the ship…which means I am occasionally authorized to take delightful little detours. I’m also reminded that it’s my birthday month, which means…I do what I want.

In very recent years, I’ve realized the absolute imperative nature of self-compassion and self-love. Much like any type of love, it’s not perfect, but if it’s solid, it enables us to recognize and fully come into our gifts. In the long run, it allows us to unabashedly contribute our gifts to the world.

Self-love is hard. It requires surrender. It requires acknowledgement of our failures, and our shortcomings, and our regrets…without ruminating in them forever. It gives us permission to learn the damn lessons and move on. In doing so, we give that permission to others. We see those gifts in others more freely because we’re not as busy berating ourselves. I’d also bet we’re less judgmental and more willing to forgive.

With each passing year, I recognize time’s preciousness. I Love every birthday around the sun, every time. Because with each additional wrinkle comes so many other gifts—and it’s my hope that I can pass this idea of self-love (and its importance) on as a birthday gift to you. Life is simply too short and too precious for anything else, sweet friend.  

Thus, here’s this week’s post—an unattributed poem. Some attribute it to Charlie Chaplin (who, hey, exhibited #quietbadassery in his own right—see what I did there?!), but it seems it is a translation from English to Portuguese to English again. Regardless, many thanks to the author, who has said it below more eloquently than I ever could.

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
if 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 this 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 this 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 the exactly right moment.
So I could be calm.
Today I call this Self-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 this 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.

As I began to love myself
I quit trying to always be right,
and ever since
I was wrong less of the time.
Today I discovered that is Modesty.

As I began to love myself
I refused to go on living in the past
and worrying about the future.
Now, I only live for the moment,
where everything is happening.
Today I live each day,
day by day,
and I call it Fulfillment.

As I began to love myself
I recognized
that my mind can disturb me
and it can make me sick.
But as I connected it to my heart,
my mind became a valuable ally.
Today I call this connection Wisdom of the Heart.

We no longer need to fear arguments,
confrontations or any kind of problems
with ourselves or others.
Even stars collide,
and out of their crashing, new worlds are born.
Today I know: This is Life!

Thank you for being here. Thank you for pausing. And if you’re in the process of realizing your gifts, I can’t wait to see them come to fruition in this world. If you’re already there, shining your bright light—thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for being brave.  

Xo,

Cami

Check out Cami's personal project at mpactproject.net