Love Yourself Like You Love Others

Did you ever watch the show Suits? It was a lawyer show running from 2011 to 2019. One of the lead characters, Harvey Spector, often had some great advice. He was a tough-love kind of man, and maybe even a little selfish once in a while, but man did he share some wisdom. I ran across a quote from him the other day and thought about you. 

As a kind-hearted human, you are so quick to share your love with others. To pour your energy into someone else in their hour of need, or just to put a smile on their face. 

You work so hard to put good into the world. 

You would move Heaven and Earth to ease the pain of someone you love or prevent that heartache altogether. 

You sacrifice your time and energy to lend a helping hand. 

And you do all of this without thinking twice. Because, why wouldn’t you? 

If someone has ever asked you why you do the things you do or told you you were crazy for putting in that much effort to such a small task, you likely looked at them and thought, “it’s no big deal, this is just who I am. This is what good people do.” 

You’re not wrong, and I love that you live a life a brings so much joy to the world around you. I love that you continue to share light with those in your world and that you are such a good example of what love looks like. 

Now I have to ask you, how do you pour love into yourself? How do you put a smile on your own face every day? What do you do when you’re feeling a little blue, or going through a moment of stress? 

There are no right or wrong answers here, this is just something I want you to be aware of. So often it is easier to pour love, concern, and support into someone else than it is to face our own struggles. It is easier to show compassion for someone else who is having a bad day than it is to offer yourself the same compassion. 

This week I challenge you to love yourself the way you love others. If that means offering grace, do it. If that looks like taking some to yourself to refill your cup, take the time. If that means a pep talk with yourself in front of the mirror before a big meeting, then talk away. Maybe it is just buying your favorite flowers to enjoy on the kitchen table for a few days. Whatever you need to do to bring that same joy into your life that you are putting into others. 

If you need a little guidance, maybe this morning routine would serve you well. Or, write this quote from Harvey on your bathroom mirror and live it out every day… 

“Ever loved someone so much, you would do anything for them?

Yeah, well make that someone yourself and do whatever the hell you want” -Harvey Spector