The power of Love and the power of Self-Love

Hi Honza! Interesting post! I'm curious, what was the connection between your "socialist idealism" and your view that you should not love yourself? Because my "socialist idealism" has been wrapped up with me greatly enhancing my love for both self and others! So that's a part of your post I'm really confused about!

[Honza]

Hi gatito,

My initial understanding of socialist idealism is that one should love others and not oneself. It was a sense of being 'selfless' and being just a 'giver' and not a 'taker'. When I was young I thought we ought to love others and forget about ourselves. I realise now that this only leads to pain.

Live for others, think of others, give to others, Focus on others.......and self love will take care of itself.

Enjoy your day folks.

[Honza]

Originally Posted by Gregatha

Live for others, think of others, give to others, Focus on others.......and self love will take care of itself.

Enjoy your day folks.

I tried that and it led to a lot of pain.

Hello again! Thanks for your reply, and what you say makes sense to me.
My philosophy is that we should love everyone. And guess what? 'Everyone' includes you, too! Not loving yourself is as bad as not loving thy neighbor.

I'm glad your understanding of socialism and its connection to love has changed from that initial conception, because as you said it would likely cause you pain and activist burn out. I've heard socialism* described not as self-sacrifice but as "enlightened self-interest", which means that by helping to create the best possible world for everyone, you also create the best possible world for yourself.

(* For the record, I'm only for socialism with direct/participatory democracy.)

To love thyself is to love God....