Life Outside the Law
The Importance of
SELF-LOVE BY SCOTT R. MOTE, ESQ.
In Alcoholics Anonymous, we recite the Serenity Prayer at every meeting: [Higher Power], grant me the serenity To accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference. This is a powerful prayer, which asks a Higher Power to help us love and accept ourselves no matter what we have done in the past, what we do in the present or what we might do in the future. It helps us recognize what we can change about ourselves to lead healthier lives. We can also think about this saying as a way to help us love ourselves.
Self-love is a basic human necessity. It means loving all parts of yourself: accepting your flaws and weaknesses, taking charge of your emotional, mental and physical well-being. Practicing self-love does not mean you are selfish or narcissistic. It means that you are taking the steps to be the best you to live a healthy and meaningful life. I first learned about self-love in AA many years ago. I learned that once I started loving myself, it was much easier to create meaningful relationships, I slept better and I had a better mentality on life, among many other things. As lawyers, we are responsible for other people’s problems. We help them with all parts of life, whether it’s buying a house, getting help for unfair employment practices, gaining custody, getting justice for a crime,
66 | Columbus Bar L aw yers Quarterly Spring 2021
