Duh!

Epiphany 1 (probably obvious): if you (I) say you (I) love someone, what exactly does that look like, how would that be expressed? And if you are not sure, just imagine what that would be (not them loving you, only you loving them. You have no control over what they do, think, or feel.) Then, act as if you already do love them as they are right now, not for who you want them to be or act, or whatever, but for who is standing there in front of you (any kind of love: family, romantic, friendship, whatever.)

Epiphany 2: apply that to self. Act as if you (or I) already do love self as you are right now, faults and all. (Obvious, don't beat self up either emotionally, for not being perfect, or physically, by not taking care of self.)

Sorry, a little heavy. Coming out of all the meditation and personal work with the elephant(s) and other things. Forgive myself for effing it up, and try to not do that next time:)

And with that, good night. (Maybe easier said than done, but it was definitely an "ah ha!" moment.) It is a shift in focus.

I apologize for the jumbled-ness of the writing lately.