Seven years ago, my daughter asked me one of the most powerful questions I have ever heard. Indeed, loving myself has been one of my biggest challenges throughout my life, and it took me until my early 40s to truly find self-love. Leave it to a then 7-year-old to put it into beautiful perspective! I’d love to hear your responses to her question.
And, speaking of love, I hope you can join Rabbi Noah Chertkoff and me for our upcoming co-taught class, both in-person and by Zoom, centering on love.
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“Do you love us more than you love yourself?”
As kids are wont to do, Yael asked me how much I love her and Matan. I told her, as parents often and honestly reply, “More than anything else.”
She then followed up by listing a series of people and things to confirm/test my response, and I honestly replied that I do indeed love her and Matan more than anything that she named.
She then asked a question (a couple of weeks ago, and she has followed up!) which has since fascinated me: “Do you love us more than you love yourself?”
I confess that I don’t have a great answer (and I told that to Yael). I really don’t! I’m asking with a smile and genuinely: how would you answer this question for yourself (not for your kids, but for yourself)?
I love this question…!