When we are talking about self-love deep down, is it really self-love or are we being self-centered? The line between self-love and self-centeredness is actually very thin and ambiguous.
As we are a microcosm of the macrocosm of how the universe really is, just like why our universe is a hologram like what many scientists believed it to be, including famous Physicist Stephen Hawking. We are really living in a holographic universe. Hence, as the Law of Correspondence states “As above so below; as within so without.” Consequently, when we love ourselves, we are loving others. At the same time, when we love others, we are also loving ourselves. Because God or Divine Source as may be called, is in everything and everything is God. But in everything as God, all is “One”.
Mistaking self-love for self-centeredness is not uncommon. In fact, it is the disguise for self-centered reasons masking itself in nobility. How to recognize the difference between self-love and self-centeredness? An example will be, if in a bad circumstance like in an abusive relationship of violence and oppression, the choice to leave this type of relationship is an act of self-love. Since, if one had been compromising one’s own sanity and torturing one’s own mind or even body, that person is allowing it to happen by staying in such a dire situation. Applying self-love by leaving such circumstances is the right thing to do. By the same token, the opposite is true for self-centeredness when one decides for selfish reasons not to do something good for anyone or avoidance of responsibility and such, when that person uses “self-love” as an excuse, this is definitely contrary to the divine.
It all depends on the intention and motivation behind the action. It does not matter the action because it can be an outward expression where others can see but the inner hidden reasons may not be so obvious nonetheless, will not escape universal laws. What needs to be corrected will eventually come back as lessons for soul growth. For this reason, why don’t we start to be more conscious of our thoughts and start to investigate our own intentions and motivations?
Be authentic and honest. Do more good and less bad to others or even ourselves. Build good karma instead of bad ones. Come out of darkness into the light.