K: I want you to always know that you are loved, no matter what.

O: No matter what?

K: Always.

I am not always very kind to myself. I am generally the last one on my own list. I will often catch myself spiraling downward into a deep well of negative self-talk. I say things to myself I would never say to anyone else. I hold myself to a standard that I would never apply to anyone else. I am often very unkind.

Somewhere along the way, it struck me. I should work to treat myself with the same love, kindness, and compassion that I reserve for my children, that the benefit of the doubt I extend to strangers is something that I also deserve, that role modeling forgiveness and self care is important and valuable.

I'm really trying to remember that. You should too.