Yes, it is possible to love ourselves. Let’s dedicate this week to taking steps toward our self-love and love of others.

Learning to love ourselves isn’t always easy. It’s an ongoing journey. Often it is from others believing in us, caring about us, and seeing us as worthy that we can begin to see ourselves as loveable and deserving of care.

I (Bob) know this because of the great progress I made in learning to love myself when I interned with Bob Kauffman at G. D Searle in 1978, and continued for the next fifteen years of partnership with Bob. Bob’s belief in me provided the freedom to be myself that had been suppressed. This freedom has been a springboard for a wonderfully fulfilling professional life and service.

Bob Kaufman’s memoir and guide, The Wonderful Adventure of Loving Ourselves: A Journey in Healing, Forgiveness, and Love, shares his journey and encourages us all on this wonderful adventure. The title says it all, The Wonderful Adventure, not the done deal. If we accept loving ourselves as an adventure, we can see it as a journey with challenges and lessons. It gives us the impetus to know ourselves, more and more, as we discover the adventure of loving ourselves.

Sadly, Bob has gone into hospice. I want now more than ever for him to know how much he has meant to me and so many others.

Think about the people in your life who have cared about you, shown you kindness, loved you, cared for you, believed in you, and supported you. Let yourself feel that care. Soak it in as evidence of your value, your worthiness, your lovability. See yourself through their eyes.

And now treat yourself as they would treat you.

And, reach out to let them know what they mean to you.

You are worthy, valuable, and lovable.