This morning I was reading about self-love.  The article said you cannot really love someone else until you learn to love yourself.  And you need to practice self-love with belief and consistent behavior.  I learned to hate myself due to an abusive childhood, followed by relationships with alcoholics and addicts.  Those adult relationships continued the abuse.

It was my alanon program along with a magnificent sponsor, that taught me about self-love.  This took several years of course.  A non-alanon friend asked me recently if I loved myself, and I replied that I now love and respect myself.  She looked at me with awe!!  Yes I still have flaws and will always continue my recovery, but I have a much improved way a life.  Grateful member always.