A Lesson on Self Love From the Charlie Chaplin Poem You Probably Didn't Know Existed
I first discovered this wonderful poem by legendary actor Charlie Chaplin whilst researching self-love and self-care articles. I was blown away by how wise and relevant this poem is and wanted to share it with you all. As a woman in business I admit that quite often I can forget to take a moment to simply breath and take the time to appreciate myself and just love myself. The words in this poem resonated with me and the truth that Charlie Chaplin shares here is probably a reflection of his path to success as an actor. My research indicates that he wrote this for his 70th birthday, which I consider not a gift to himself but a gift to us all.
As I began to love myself I found that anguish and emotional suffering are only warning signs that I was living against my own truth. Today, I know, this is “AUTHENTICITY”.As I began to love myself I understood how much it can offend somebody if I try to force my desires on this person, even though I knew the time was not right and the person was not ready for it, and even though this person was me. Today I call it “RESPECT”.As I began to love myself I stopped craving for a different life, and I could see that everything that surrounded me was inviting me to grow. Today I call it “MATURITY”.As I began to love myself I understood that at any circumstance, I am in the right place at the right time, and everything happens at the exactly right moment. So I could be calm. Today I call it “SELF-CONFIDENCE”.
As I began to love myself I freed myself of anything that is no good for my health – food, people, things, situations, and everything that drew me down and away from myself. At first I called this attitude a healthy egoism. Today I know it is “LOVE OF ONESELF”.As I began to love myself I quit trying to always be right, and ever since I was wrong less of the time. Today I discovered that is “MODESTY”.As I began to love myself I refused to go on living in the past and worrying about the future. Now, I only live for the moment, where everything is happening. Today I live each day, day by day, and I call it “FULFILLMENT”.As I began to love myself I recognized that my mind can disturb me and it can make me sick. But as I connected it to my heart, my mind became a valuable ally. Today I call this connection “WISDOM OF THE HEART”.We no longer need to fear arguments, confrontations or any kind of problems with ourselves or others. Even stars collide, and out of their crashing new worlds are born. Today I know “THAT IS LIFE”!I hope that this poem helps someone reading it.Enjoy and share!