It all comes down to loving oneself first. The seemingly selfish act must happen consciously. “How could this be?” the pious among us are saying. “What does she mean?” they say among themselves. Doesn’t she read Facebook posts and enjoy the images everyone is showering down on us?

Frankly, my dear, you must give a damn and about yourself! Otherwise, the platitudinous among us will rule the world, and we don’t want that to happen. Because everything has a counterfeit version being passed around.

I am loving the humorous posts on a private Facebook page because they are laugh-out-loud spit take funny. I sit there in huge enjoyment of the send-ups of real spirituality gone wrong. And we know exactly who knows and who doesn’t.

Real spirituality begins within and radiates out effortlessly. You don’t have to do anything but be. And being is something our culture hates and dishonors. The media sold out aeons ago. Nothing has changed on that level and never will.

We are all one, but that oneness begins within. Love yourself for not loving yourself. Any reason will do. Love yourself for growing old alone. Love yourself for not getting what you thought you wanted. Love yourself for that crop of hair that grows where it shouldn’t be seen. Love yourself for smiling benignly on someone while sporting spinach in your teeth. It’s all good and it’s all you.

Vicki Woodyard