Zone1 Why we don't "love others".

[Woodznutz]

We are to "love others as we love ourselves".

The problem is that we don't really love ourselves. We're overweight, overworked, overstressed, in debt, frustrated, angry, feel helpless, misunderstood, mismatched with spouse, can't control our children, are unappreciated (add your own gripe).

This is what we bring to the table when we interact with our neighbor (who we might not like all that well). If we can overcome these problems, we can express true self-love. Our self-love will then flourish with plenty left over for our neighbors.

 

[sparky]

hmmmm....do i look fat in this post...?? ~S~

 

[JGalt]

We are to "love others as we love ourselves".

The problem is that we don't really love ourselves. We're overweight, overworked, overstressed, in debt, frustrated, angry, feel helpless, misunderstood, mismatched with spouse, can't control our children, are unappreciated (add your own gripe).

This is what we bring to the table when we interact with our neighbor (who we might not like all that well). If we can overcome these problems, we can express true self-love. Our self-love will then flourish with plenty left over for our neighbors.

I accept myself and am comfortable with who I am, but I wouldn't go so far as to say I love myself.

We are who we are, and it's important to know what you can or can't change.

 

[Woodznutz]

I accept myself and am comfortable with who I am, but I wouldn't go so far as to say I love myself.

We are who we are, and it's important to know what you can or can't change.

What Jesus meant was agape (head love), not phileo (heart love).

 

[OhPleaseJustQuit]

I accept myself and am comfortable with who I am, but I wouldn't go so far as to say I love myself.

We are who we are, and it's important to know what you can or can't change.

.

I respect myself and the logical result of that is I must respect others.

Until they prove they are unworthy of my respect.

.

 

[JGalt]

What Jesus meant was agape (head love), not phileo (heart love).

If Jesus had to deal with these a-holes these days, he's probably want to give them a good head butt instead.

Especially those call-center yahoos with the thick Indian accent that keep calling me four or five times a day.

 

[Woodznutz]

If Jesus had to deal with these a-holes these days, he's probably want to give them a good head butt instead.

Especially those call-center yahoos with the thick Indian accent that keep calling me four or five times a day.

I had an Indian student tenant whose accent was so thick I couldn't understand a word she said. It was like listening to the old Hollywood 'double talk'.

 

[forkintheroad7]

I accept myself and am comfortable with who I am, but I wouldn't go so far as to say I love myself.

We are who we are, and it's important to know what you can or can't change.

If you don't love yourself (in a healthy way) you cannot possibly love anyone else. I used to not like myself much (messages sent all my life by people who should have cared but didn't) but one day I woke up and realized that I was not a bad person and didn't deserve to feel this way just because one of my parents always scapegoated me due to issues none of the family had a clue about . Anyway, as per the OP, yes, it is true, we all have baggage and some of it is very heavy and we barely know it is there a lot of the time... but with me.. it was a matter of a catastrophe happening that got me to wondering: What is going on here? Why did I do this/think that.. etc... etc... and once I began to try to understand things, I began to understand things. You have to want it.. You have to take a first step. I know people who never seem to take the 1st step in understanding... themselves, much less anyone else.

 

[JGalt]

If you don't love yourself (in a healthy way) you cannot possibly love anyone else. I used to not like myself much (messages sent all my life by people who should have cared but didn't) but one day I woke up and realized that I was not a bad person and didn't deserve to feel this way just because one of my parents always scapegoated me due to issues none of the family had a clue about . Anyway, as per the OP, yes, it is true, we all have baggage and some of it is very heavy and we barely know it is there a lot of the time... but with me.. it was a matter of a catastrophe happening that got me to wondering: What is going on here? Why did I do this/think that.. etc... etc... and once I began to try to understand things, I began to understand things. You have to want it.. You have to take a first step. I know people who never seem to take the 1st step in understanding... themselves, much less anyone else.

Well to be honest, I don't love myself and I don't hate myself. I just feel kinda "mehhh."

 

[forkintheroad7]

Well to be honest, I don't love myself and I don't hate myself. I just feel kinda "mehhh."

Well, the word love always needs to be defined. Loving yourself doesn't mean putting yourself first every minute of the day. That's not love but selfishness and it is spiritually unhealthy.

On the other hand, if you go around all day every day thinking everyone is better than you... You should get some help. If you can't afford a psychologist, you can work on these issues with the Lord and that's probably better than a psychologist anyway. It's hard to find real Christian psychologists, though they're out there. You probably don't go around thinking everyone is better than you. But plenty of people are brainwashed into thinking that. They are low achievers in many ways...

 

[JGalt]

Well, the word love always needs to be defined. Loving yourself doesn't mean putting yourself first every minute of the day. That's not love but selfishness and it is spiritually unhealthy.

On the other hand, if you go around all day every day thinking everyone is better than you... You should get some help. If you can't afford a psychologist, you can work on these issues with the Lord and that's probably better than a psychologist anyway. It's hard to find real Christian psychologists, though they're out there. You probably don't go around thinking everyone is better than you. But plenty of people are brainwashed into thinking that. They are low achievers in many ways...

I don't go through the day thinking everyone is better than me, nor do I go through the day thinking I'm better than everyone else. Some people are good at certain things, while others suck at those same things. Anyone knows that.

 

[forkintheroad7]

I don't go through the day thinking everyone is better than me, nor do I go through the day thinking I'm better than everyone else. Some people are good at certain things, while others suck at those same things. Anyone knows that.

Well, I was just using hyperbole to make a point..

 

[onefour1]

I think it is important to understand that we are all the very offspring of God and that He is our Father and each of us are literally spirit brothers and sisters. We all fought together in the war in heaven and chose God our Father and Jesus and rejected Lucifer and his rebellion. We should look upon each other as brothers and sisters and part of the family of God. We should hope and desire the best for each other and do what we can to make each others lives be full of peace and happiness. We were all united before coming to this world and now we, at times, will hate and even kill one another. May we all have an eternal perspective and know that we are all the children of God and all part of one big family. May the spirit of God abide in our hearts and see our fellow beings as worthy of the love and respect of one of God's children.

 

[ding]

I think if we are all being honest, it’s because a lot of people are assholes.

Jesus gave some good advice for that too, wipe the dust from your sandals and move on. I think most of us do that as a matter of course. I avoid associating with people I dislike.

 

[BothWings]

Honestly, I don't know why I would hate myself for any of the criteria outlined in the OP. Seems pretty silly.

 

[Woodznutz]

Honestly, I don't know why I would hate myself for any of the criteria outlined in the OP. Seems pretty silly.

Most obese people are quite happy with their diets (just as an example). But destroying one's health doesn't demonstrate true self-love. True self-love regarding health would be treating one's body as if it were a prized thoroughbred. Your body is what carries out the wishes and ambitions of your mind, soul, and spirit. Take care of it (for example).

 

[JGalt]

Most obese people are quite happy with their diets (just as an example). But destroying one's health doesn't demonstrate true self-love. True self-love regarding health would be treating one's body as if it were a prized thoroughbred. Your body is what carries out the wishes and ambitions of your mind, soul, and spirit. Take care of it (for example).

I guess that what it all boils down to is that people are gonna eat what's affordable and whatever is convenient, depending on their lifestyle. Being picky about what you eat takes time, money, and a lot of effort.

 

[Foxfyre]

We are to "love others as we love ourselves".

The problem is that we don't really love ourselves. We're overweight, overworked, overstressed, in debt, frustrated, angry, feel helpless, misunderstood, mismatched with spouse, can't control our children, are unappreciated (add your own gripe).

This is what we bring to the table when we interact with our neighbor (who we might not like all that well). If we can overcome these problems, we can express true self-love. Our self-love will then flourish with plenty left over for our neighbors.

To love ourselves, to love others, is to accept ourselves for who and what we are, imperfect beings, sinners, works in progress in a world shared with other imperfect beings, sinners, works in progress.

Okay we hate our imperfections. We are ashamed of our sins. But to acknowledge our imperfections and sins keeps us humble, tolerant, non judgmental, and able to accept others who aren't perfect either and never will be in this Earthly life.

And each step toward making things better, being better, overcoming with the help of God and our fellow man, is a cause for rejoicing. And gives us hope that we can use to help others when they ask for it and need it, to be a possitive example.

God created us. We should neither loathe ourselves nor be too proud. Maybe a little prayer would help us all: "Lord, help me to be better today than I was yesterday."

 

[Dekster]

Between travel and and an inner ear infection I have lost 10 pounds in 2 weeks. I hope I can keep it off, but with cool weather coming, probably not, so I am not going to rush to put a new hole in my belts quite yet..

 

[Woodznutz]

I guess that what it all boils down to is that people are gonna eat what's affordable and whatever is convenient, depending on their lifestyle. Being picky about what you eat takes time, money, and a lot of effort.

Actually, just opposite. I'm picky so I eat basically the same things all the time. Easy-peasy, inexpensive, and very healthy.