self-love and self-respect are important to practice

This is a tough one, for me, because I have struggled with self-loathing and depression in the past, but the fact is, you need some degree of self-love and self-respect to be successful in your practice. For me, it has been practice (and medication!) that has brought me out of the mire of self-loathing. And it is my developing since of self-love that will take me forward in the future!

This isn't meant to be an arrogant, egotistical, or conceited self-love. Not thinking you're better than everyone else. And I don't even mean pride, although I think it can be good to take pride in the right things, if that pride doesn't develop into conceit. I mean wishing yourself happiness. Wishing what is best for yourself. Self-care at its finest.

For me, I have come to see that the Dhamma make me happier, and makes my life better. And now, as I leave my self-hating days further behind me, I don't just want an escape from pain; I want what is best for me. And what is best for me is diligent practice. What is best for me is renunciation, generosity, morality, kindness, and cultivating stillness and steadiness of mind, and clarity of awareness and comprehension.