IN A WORLD OF BILLIONS DO YOU LOVE THE ONLY YOU THERE IS. . .
HERE’S THE THING
Brett Elizabeth Jenkins
I have been trying to love myself.
It’s not a big deal—it’s a minor thing really.
But until now, I haven’t.
I’ve hated the gruff voice in the morning
before I’ve had a drink of water
and the soft half-moons on my fingertips,
shadows of guitar callouses.
I would look at myself
in the bathroom mirror
and drink a pint of self-pity
telling my reflection
she’d never amount to anything.
I was making myself a ghost, a place
where a person used to live.
Why not love the soft downy fur
on the back of my neck
and the fibrillating minutes
between sleep and wakefulness
when I don’t know if I’m dead or alive?
There are certain impossibilities
but I don’t think falling in love
with myself
feels insurmountable.
We put humans in space
and grow watermelons without seeds.
Here’s the thing: you have to find out
how to do a thing
before it seems possible.
Love myself?
I decided to try.
A small turkey sandwich with the crusts
cut off. A foolish dance
in the shower. Whatever I want
it’s mine—it’s magic.
The dim hours before bed,
putting things where they go.
Letting the dishes pile up
then cleaning them all at once
on an early Saturday
the windows open
the birds looking in at me
the whole world in love
or at least, me.
(My thanks to the poet, via One Art.)
Uhhhhhhh. . .Let me ask you again:
IN A WORLD OF BILLIONS DO YOU LOVE THE ONLY YOU THERE IS. . .
because that whole thing of ‘loving your neighbor as yourself’ thing
takes on a different tone when that ‘loving yourself’
isn’t all that good. . .
The concept of “love your neighbor as yourself” is found in various forms across different religions and philosophies. Here are some examples:
– *Christianity*: “Love your neighbor as yourself” is a direct quote from the Bible (Mark 12:31, Leviticus 19:18, and Matthew 22:39).
– *Judaism*: The Torah teaches “Love your neighbor as yourself” in Leviticus 19:18, emphasizing kindness and compassion towards others.
– *Islam*: The Quran states, “None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself” (Hadith, Muslim 45).
– *Buddhism*: The Buddha taught, “Cultivate a loving-kindness towards all beings, just as a mother protects her child with her life” (Metta Sutta, Sutta Pitaka).
– *Hinduism*: The Mahabharata states, “This is the sum of all true righteousness: deal with others as you would have them deal with you” (Anushasana Parva).
– *Taoism*: The Tao Te Ching teaches, “Regard your neighbor’s gain as your own gain, and your neighbor’s loss as your own loss” (Chapter 13).
– *Sikhism*: The Guru Granth Sahib states, “As you see yourself, see others as well; only then will you become a partner in heaven” (Guru Granth Sahib 287).
These teachings promote empathy, kindness, and compassion towards others, reflecting the universal value of treating others with love and respect.
THAT GUY
He stares back at me
and tries to blink a different version
of what’s reflected
miserably failing
to see
even what others may think they see
as any kind compassion
he always tries to show
thinking if he tries it enough
it’ll be true
as automatic as a warm sunrise
and a tired but fulfilling sunset
He looks again deeper
as if he can look past the mirror
into the reflection
of his ever masquerading soul
No. . .NO
he can’t see the guy he wants to be
for the one he actually is
but that’s why he’ll get up again tomorrow
and look unblinking
with hope to see Someone different
and be Someone better
if for no other reason
than for his worldwide
Nextdoor Neighbors
JUST REMEMBER:
there’s another opportunity to have another one or
