How do you define “love?" Is “love” a feeling or is it a choice?

Here's what I see, the feeling follows after the choice. So you choose to love someone and the feeling of love follows. Much like when it comes to loving yourself. You have two choices. You can choose to love yourself or you can choose to hate yourself. Whatever you choose, the feeling of love or hatred will follow.

When you hate yourself, you get stuck in self pity and always feeling bad for yourself because you don't see the good in yourself. But, when you love yourself, the self pity has no place in your life. Hatred is not welcome in the presence of love. When you love yourself, you see the good. You see parts of yourself you never noticed before. Your perspective on life and things around you changes. The way you act and the way you treat people changes. Your heart of stone because light and radiates love through the simplest of actions.

You are your worst enemy. You are the most critical to yourself. You know your every flaw and every time you do something wrong, you beat yourself up about it. It's easy to be critical towards yourself and others. It's easy to point out the bad stuff, but what is hard is pointing out the good in yourself. It's hard to show yourself love when all you see is negativity.

But, how can we change the negativity of our self perception to positivity?

1. Wake up every morning and look in the mirror, then give yourself 10 compliments, what you're good at or what you wish to accomplish that day.

The first 10 minutes of your morning are the most critical, they start your day and the feeling you have those first 10 minutes lingers throughout the rest of the day. So, I say start the day with 10 compliments to yourself. Saying you love yourself does not mean you are selfish. It is strength. And always remember, the way you treat yourself often dictates how others treat you.

2. Be there for yourself.

When your heart hurts and everything feels out of place, go buy ice cream and binge watch your favorite show. When you feel great and adventurous, go out and explore. When it's 2 a.m and your thoughts won't stop, reassure yourself of the progress you have made and the place you are going. Reassure yourself that you are right where you need to be.

3. Emerge yourself in the Word of God.

Refresh your soul and mind. He made you with a purpose. You might be in a sticky situation, but He can help you out of it. You might feel so much hatred towards yourself, but all He sees is love. He does not see you like you see yourself. You are more than the negative thoughts in your head and you are more than the nasty comments said about you. In His eyes, you are more than what you see and you are more than what you know. Have peace in that.

Lastly, if you want to love someone with all that you are, you need to first love yourself with all that you are. You were made to be loved, and being loved by yourself is included in that.