For a while, one of my favourite songs was Issues by Julia Michaels. (I said it WAS a favourite for a while, because I tend to be intense with music and listen to my favourites non-stop. Then they stop being my favourite. Sometimes I’m a go big or go home kind of gal. 😬 Oh, and if you now have a hankering to listen to this, just know there is one cuss word.)
One part in the song goes like this:
‘Cause I got issues
But you got ’em too
So give ’em all to me
And I’ll give mine to you
Bask in the glory
Of all our problems
‘Cause we got the kind of love
It takes to solve ’em
I’m not going to delve into her meaning of the lyrics, but bottom line is we all have issues. And it takes love to solve them. Let’s discuss some of my issues, shall we?
Before I dig in, I must mention this. My new timeline of reference has turned into “before my mom died” and “after my mom died”. So, this past year and 9 months since my mom died have been that of accelerated healing and growth for me. Let’s call it Jacquie’s Journey 2.0. (My Jacquie’s Journey OG will be shared at some point.)
I have God and good people in my life. I’m blessed. In a way, I have given my issues to them. They have had a hand in my healing. They have all helped me more than I can even attempt to explain. Love is the higher law, I’ve genuinely discovered. Love is the answer.
One day, I was hit so hard with this truth from Matthew 22 verse 39 found in the New Testament. “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (If you want the full scripture, you can find it here, starting at verse 36.) AS THYSELF!!!!! It hit me harder than hard. I realized I have have only focused on the first part of this scripture all along. I’m quite good at loving my neighbour. It’s easy for me to love other people. But the last part? I’ve never really given it attention as I only focused on the neighbour part. I have liked myself for the most part and I wouldn’t go as far to say that I hated myself. However, I realized that there was a deficit in my self love. And just like that, BOOM! This scripture was the answer to the root of all my issues.
As mentioned, I’ve always found it easy to love people. For deep rooted reasons, I’ve always imagined that it’s pretty hard for other people to love the real me. The flawed me. Insecurity, self doubt and all the things in between have been holding me back. In hindsight, I can see it all now. And it makes me so so sad. I never felt like I was enough. I would seek for others to fill me up with love. I was a validation-seeker. It’s like I needed it from other people because I couldn’t give it to myself. The downside to that is that what they gave me was never enough.
I’m happy to say that I’m well on my road to self-love recovery. I feel a tangible difference in how I view myself. It didn’t happen overnight. It’s been over a year of consistent work. Between God, my loved ones and some amazing professionals (counsellors, a naturopath, massage therapist and an EFT practitioner to just name a few), I have been able to work on a LOT of things. I’ve been called out on things. I’ve been challenged. I’ve had to reopen wounds to properly clean them so that they can properly heal. I’ve also been encouraged. I’ve been validated (not in an enabling way). I’ve dug deep and dealt with issues I didn’t know were even issues. Some of it hasn’t been easy. Some of it has been easier than I anticipated. Because of all of this, I realize that I am enough. I AM ENOUGH! And yes, I just yelled that. I realized I had it in me all along, but I needed help to see it.
Sometimes I try to default back to my old way of thinking. I now have the tools to question my thoughts. I don’t have to buy into that negative narrative any longer. My issues don’t define me any longer. Love defines me. The love my Heavenly Father and my Savior have for me defines me. It’s an unconditional love. The love I have for myself defines me. The love of others certainly adds an invaluable amount of meaning to my life, but it doesn’t define me. My own value isn’t dependent on what others think of me. This new awareness has been absolutely life changing. It’s been freeing.
Love is the answer. ❤️
26 replies on “All You Need Is Love”
Hi Jacquie. You are lovely. I haven’t even read this yet, just wanted to be the first to comment! (However, due to the fact that I’m not tech. savvy I can’t really tell if I’m the first to comment.)
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You were the first comment on this post! Nailed it! Thanks so much for checking out my blog. ❤️
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Love this!!!! ❤️
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I’m so happy about this, Jacquie! You have amazing stories to tell and you’d be surprise how much I relate to you and you tender spirit. Keep the posts coming! Love you! ❤️
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I’m getting emotional reading this comment. Thanks, Felisha! I love you! And I have always loved the bond we have. Near, far, wherever you are! (A little Celine for you. Haha!)
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Jacquie I am your biggest fan!!! This post is everything beautiful just like you! Thank you for sharing your talent with all of us!❤
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Awww Marina! I can hear your voice as I read it! I friggin’ love you!
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Why are we always the hardest on ourselves thru life. You always make everyone feel like you are their best friend and that my dear is a quality that not alot of people have. Love you and excited for you!
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Thanks so much, Marilee! I love how you were a mom to me (still are) but how you’ve also become my dear friend.
#culdesacloveforlife
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My dear friend. Reading this post brings me so much joy! I’ve always loved you for you, and in return have felt that you loved me the same. You’re inspiring to me for so many reasons. You are genuinely wonderful ❤️.
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I love how our love is so strong for each other. You are a true friend no matter how long it’s been since we have spoken or seen each other. I appreciate you in my life!
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I’ve been yelling “YOU ARE ENOUGH” all the way from Calgary for quite a while now. I’m glad you finally heard it. 💕
I have 4 brothers and no sisters so I’ve taken it upon myself to handpick my own “soul sisters.” You’re one of them. Love you big-time lady. I can’t even tell you how excited I am about this blog!
FUSHIBI!!! 👊
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Taryn! Oh man I love you! You are the trifecta of real, encouraging and flipping funny! #fushibi
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Love. I also have had that scripture knock me down!! I’m on the same journey. The love myself. Life after my moms suffering and dads dumbness haha I fed everything you write. Love you.
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Feel. 🤪
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How have we not paid attention the the “as thyself” part before now??? You’re dang good at loving people, so I know you’ll be the same for loving yourself. ❤️
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How have we not paid attention the the “as thyself” part before now??? You’re dang good at loving people, so I know you’ll be the same for loving yourself. ❤️
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No kidding why was that not emphasized. Our time I feel needs this as darkness increases we have to love ourselves. To be able to love others that need us. And to be able to function with the opposition in all things reality
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We need more of you! You are a light and a joy. And you always have a positive way of addressing even the most difficult things. Keep sharing!
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Awww Jeri! You’re making me beam!
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Oh my gosh!!! I’m so excited you have started a blog!! I need more of you in my life!! I love you so much (I mean…obviously, I named my firstborn after you after all 😉) glad you love you too! 😘😘🥰
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MICAH! I just love you! I can picture your gorgeous smile and hear your delightful giggle as I’m reading this! Thanks my friend, for the love, encouragement and especially for my namesake. 😘
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“The love I have for myself defines me. The love of others certainly adds an invaluable amount of meaning to my life, but it doesn’t define me. My own value isn’t dependent on what others think of me.” Can you say that louder so the people in the back can hear you? Can I get this printed so I can hang it in my room? And my daughters room? And my sons room? A-freaking-MEN!
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A-freaking-AMEN!!!! Let’s do a craft night! Hahahah!
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My darling girl! You are the easiest person we know to love…I am so glad you are starting to see that! It’s not easy to walk the walk, take it from me! But I sure am glad you have decided to stop hiding your light under a bushel, because I have always felt like you had something that everyone around you needs. Your appreciation of poop jokes combined with your ability to skip the fluffy fake “Instagram life” and be really real and honest is glorious…I love your guts ❤️🥰
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Why are you so good to me???? I’ll take it! Thanks, my friend. I love you and the word glorious.
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