You.
See your face.
You see a flaw.
How I ask.
You are the only one who owns your face.
It’s okay. It takes time. It takes energy. It takes courage. It’s okay because you’re reaching home to yourself.
-Self Love Above All
Charlie Chaplin is best known today as a comedian who starred in silent films from 1920 through 1950, recognizable even today by his iconic moustache and hat. While many people can still identify him as a silent film star, few people know just how insightful and intelligent he was.
The scene from The Great Dictator in which Charlie speaks of our connectedness as human beings, our inherent rights on the planet, and how we have lost our way because of greed, is perhaps our greatest indication of the mind behind the man. Even though he passed away almost 50 years ago, his legacy lives on and he continues to inspire us daily with amazing insight, wisdom, and humour. The following poem offers his unique and perceptive understanding of self-love.
Incredible Poem Written By Charlie Chaplin
As I began to love myself I found that anguish and emotional suffering are only warning signs that I was living against my own truth. Today, I know, this is “AUTHENTICITY”.
As I began to love myself I understood how much it can offend somebody if I try to force my desires on this person, even though I knew the time was not right and the person was not ready for it, and even though this person was me. Today I call it “RESPECT”.
As I began to love myself I stopped craving for a different life, and I could see that everything that surrounded me was inviting me to grow. Today I call it “MATURITY”.
As I began to love myself I understood that at any circumstance, I am in the right place at the right time, and everything happens at the exactly right moment. So I could be calm. Today I call it “SELF-CONFIDENCE”.
As I began to love myself I quit stealing my own time, and I stopped designing huge projects for the future. Today, I only do what brings me joy and happiness, things I love to do and that make my heart cheer, and I do them in my own way and in my own rhythm. Today I call it “SIMPLICITY”.
As I began to love myself I freed myself of anything that is no good for my health – food, people, things, situations, and everything that drew me down and away from myself. At first, I called this attitude a healthy egoism. Today I know it is “LOVE OF ONESELF”.
As I began to love myself I quit trying to always be right, and ever since I was wrong less of the time. Today I discovered that is “MODESTY”.
As I began to love myself I refused to go on living in the past and worrying about the future. Now, I only live for the moment, where everything is happening. Today I live each day, day by day, and I call it “FULFILLMENT”.
As I began to love myself I recognized that my mind can disturb me and it can make me sick. But as I connected it to my heart, my mind became a valuable ally. Today I call this connection “WISDOM OF THE HEART”.
We no longer need to fear arguments, confrontations or any kind of problems with ourselves or others. Even stars collide, and out of their crashing new worlds are born. Today I know “THAT IS LIFE”!
What an amazing piece on self-love! You can certainly see that Charlie was a wise man who learned a lot during his time here. This poem powerfully reminds us that there is a lesson to be found in all of life’s experiences. Although we may not be able to see it at the time, in retrospect we may discover how these lessons life has offered served us in some way. Each line of the poem shares a lesson which we can keep in mind when we have that feeling that we are not good enough or not where we want to be.
Is self-love something you struggle with? I believe learning to accept yourself as you are, while also recognizing where you would like to improve, is a lifelong journey.
A flower does not ask how to bloom. It just does.
It does not ask if it’s beautiful. It just is.
Thank you for reading. Love you for that!
Wish you all a productive weekend! Never forget to pull some time out of whatever you’re doing, for yourself! You deserve it.
xoxo
—–Have Hope.Keep Faith—–
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EclipsedWords by Aishwarya Shah || March’2018 || All rights reserved ©
‘Even stars collide, and out of their crashing new worlds are born’
Oh wow! Wow, wow, wow! What a wonderful line. As someone who is not confident with confrontation, this is a beautiful way of looking at it. Thank you for sharing this poem 🙂
Aww, no problem Laura! Thanks so much for reading and stopping by my blog 😊 ✨ ❤
Who knew? I didn’t.
Yes, I understand you. Lol 🙈
Absolutely breath-taking! A man of silent film and few words, can steal the hearts of millions! Great post!
Indeed! I too was amazed by the poem. It’s wise and inspirational. Thanks for reading ❤
Did not know Chaplin was a poet. Interesting
It took me as a surprise as well. Thanks for reading ✨
Nice post. Although can’t write about everything that happened with him, you mentioned the movie where he played Hitler. People were outraged over that film when was made. Looking back we know it was the truth, but at the time he lost his career and his credibility. It was courageous to speak the truth as we have found out today. Many forget the past.
I guess like many others, I too didn’t know of this fact. Thank you for sharing your insights and for reading and stopping by my blog. ❤💫
Unforgettable moustache
Indeed!
Now I see why I need to learn to love myself. I don’t think I fully understood before. Thank you for sharing and writing an amazing blog too. Much love left here for you today.
Aww, it means a lot! Thank you so much 💫 ❤ ❤
You are welcome
He was a bright one. The speech in THE GREAT DICTATOR always moves me to tears…
A poster of him used to adorn my old bathroom, when I was living with my sister for many years. Thanks for bringing him back to mind!
He was indeed a fine man, who created a history for him down the memory lane.
Thank you so much for reading and I’m so happy that you could connect with it as a piece of your own memory.
Sending some love and happiness to you and your family. 🌼 ❤
You are very welcome. The past two days were intense for me and that memory helped me refocus.
Thank you for writing it down and also thanks for liking my poetry, which led me here in the first place. 🙂
✨❤✨❤
I have heard others saying chaplin said i love to walk in the rains for no body see my tears 🙂
I guess it’s true!
I too was not aware of his poetry, but my parents knew of his love for others through the many generosities he performed and shared. His humble beginnings made him work twice as hard, even though everyone seemed to be against him. Slap-stick was the avenue which entertainers could survive on in those restructuring days. Thank you for sharing. Maybe I’ll have something published for my 70th birthday as well.
That’s good to know, Philip! Thanks so much for reading ✨
Beautiful reminder to appreciate and love myself in everyway. Thank you for this.
It’s a lovely poem . ‘Even stars collide and out of their crashing new worlds are born .
So powerful lines👌
I’m glad you liked it, thanks! 😊 ✨ ❤
Welcome 😊
I wrote a blog recently about this ‘self-love poem by Charlie Chaplin’. Check it out, there is a twist to the story…
https://authorjoannereed.net/charlie-chaplin-self-love-poem-subtle-art-of-myth-busting/