My parents always taught me
To put others before myself
To be kind and considerate

That teaching became so important
That it morphed into something
Far too unhealthy
It breeded a lack of love for myself
It made me put everyone else
Before myself
Even when it meant
Tearing myself apart

Now finally, I'm trying to teach myself
Something just as important
As consideration for others
I'm trying to learn
How to show consideration for myself

During this process
I've realized how sad it is
That I'm afraid to say no
To look out for my own well being
Over someone else's
Without feeling like I'm selfish
Without feeling like I'm a terrible person

Teaching our children
To have love for others
Is so important
Because this world is
So depraved of love
But teaching self love is just
As important

We need to learn to stop killing
Each other
But we also need to learn
To stop killing
Ourselves