Loving Yourself Is Not Selfish

a reflection on those who will never understand that you are not a right to another person.

You think that by choosing you,

you’re selfish

-or shallow

-or disrespectful.

You’ve been told for as long as you can remember,

how important the wants and feelings of others are

and that you should always consider your role in those feelings.

You’ve been taught that every decision you make of your life

and every thought you have in your pretty little head must be that -

pretty

and delicate

and sensitive

and considerate of the opinions of those who try to stake claim on you

But you and your pretty head are not clay to be shaped as they wish.

You are not responsible to them

-or their desires of your self

You are you

Every ambitious, heartfelt, compassionate, intelligent thought that gave you the confidence to say your own name even as the sea of people around you beg for you to scream theirs, while they tear at your skin and voice and smile.

Call you selfish.

Saying you’ve changed.

But you are not selfish.

You are not cruel.

Or shallow, or undeserving of respect for your choices.

But you have changed.

Thought not or the worse as their roaring insults suggest.

Every moment of this life

is yours

and every smile is deserved

and every thought for your own dreams

is well placed.

This does not make you selfish.

It casts you from the mold you’ve so long been told you can’t escape.

And their anger at you is for themselves that they can’t get out

or won’t.

So do what you will,

of your own will,

and life a life that’s yours.

Reviews

[William H. Balzac]

Reasonable, sensible, language. I love this poems message, and it's call to self-love. As someone who'd been bullied as a child, I've grown into someone sensitive to the view of others.
Your poem offers affirmation for all.

[Sebastian Romero]

This is a great poem! The title, the rhythm, the vocabulary, the message, everything really! I hope you keep writing because this is such an important poem and so many people should read this! Serious! I specially like this parttt: Every moment of this life
is yours
and every smile is deserved
and every thought for your own dreams
is well placed.

[Sir Drift & Mr. Pulse]

So true so true, we have been taught that we "you" are not supposed to exclude those around you, but in reality, this world is made for you to survive in. So what in the world is wrong with thinking of us at our times of need? Others can be helped as well but if you are not balance yourself then you will only cause chaos towards others.

[Skye]

Very true. Thank you for your comments!

[McBear]

It is never wrong to be happy with who you are. It is honestly the first step to becoming secure. I remember when I was younger I had a hard time accepting myself because of all the peoples views of me. But now that I am older, I learned that it doesn't matter what anyone thinks.

[Skye]

Thank you for your thoughts :)

[McBear]

My pleasure. If you ever need anything, do not hesitate to contact me.