The speech that Charlie Chaplin gave on his 70th birthday: As I Began to Love Myself

As I began to love myself I found that anguish and emotional suffering
 are only warning signs that I was living against my own truth. Today, I know, this is “AUTHENTICITY”.

As I began to love myself I understood how much it can offend somebody
 as I try to force my desires on this person, 
even though I knew the time was not right and the person was not ready for it,
 and even though this person was me.
 Today I call it “RESPECT.”

As I began to love myself I stopped craving for a different life 
and I could see that everything that surrounded me was inviting me to grow.
 Today I call it “MATURITY”.

As I began to love myself I understood that at any circumstance,
 I am in the right place at the right time,
 and everything happens at the exactly right moment.
 So I could be calm.
 Today I call it “SELF-CONFIDENCE”.

As I began to love myself I quit stealing my own time
 and I stopped designing huge projects for the future.
 Today, I only do what brings me joy and happiness, things I love to do 
and that make my heart cheer, and I do them in my own way and in my own rhythm.
 Today I call it “SIMPLICITY”.

As I began to love myself I freed myself of anything that is no good for my health—
food, people, things, situations, and everything the drew me down and away from myself.
 At first I called this attitude a healthy egoism. 
Today I know it is “LOVE OF ONESELF”.

As I began to love myself I quit trying to always be right,
 and, ever since, I was wrong less of the time.
 Today I discovered that is “MODESTY.”

As I began to love myself I refused to go on living in the past and worry about the future.
 Now, I only live for the moment, where EVERYTHING is happening.
 Today I live each day, day by day, and I call it “FULFILLMENT”.

As I began to love myself I recognized that my mind can disturb me
and it can make me sick.
 But as I connected it to my heart, my mind became a valuable ally.
 Today I call this connection “WISDOM OF THE HEART”.

We no longer need to fear arguments, confrontations or any kind of problems 
with ourselves or others. 
Even stars collide, and out of their crashing new worlds are born.
 Today I know THAT IS “LIFE”!

“When I grow up I am going to draw and paint pictures. I am going to be an Artist. I will bring my pictures to art shows all over the world. I will bring them to ships and let men bring them across the world. I will take my stuff like paints pencils and paper with me almost wherever I go. I will make alot of money. I will be famous. I will draw people. I like art. I hope people will remember me as an artist.” ~Tracy, 3rd grade

[Tracy Kachtick-Anders is a Painter, Doula, a mother of six, and Rosie O'Donnell's girlfriend. She is also the Director of Open Arms Campaign, a non-profit organization dedicated to the recruitment of foster and adoptive families.]

Now here’s a kid who allowed herself to imagine and follow her heart, no matter what, and she then proceeded to live the life of her dreams. There are no limits when you aren’t old enough to make up stories that there are. It doesn’t mean that she didn’t encounter hardship, disappointment, loss, and failure along the way – this is the human journey – but what she did do is stay true to her values and passions and she is living the life of her dreams, as a result.

What are your dreams and what are you going to do about living them, TODAY?

With Love,
Dani