The beginning of love is to let those we love be perfectly themselves,
and not to twist them to fit our own image. Otherwise we love only
the reflection of ourselves we find in them.

Thomas Merton
American Author, Monk and Mystic

What do I mean by loving ourselves properly? I mean first of all,
desiring to live, accepting life as a very great gift and a great
good, not because of what it gives us, but because of what it enables
us to give to others.

Thomas Merton
Spiritual Writer, Poet and Social Activist