The very moment we feel an urge to defend ourselves, act out or withdraw, precisely then love yourself. Stop and close your eyes. Open your heart. Take a breath and send loving thoughts to you. Surround whatever is going on with light and love. You may want to ask which part that is reacting and nourish that particular part. Often it's the child in us, repeating a pattern of wounded behavior from far back.

This act of nourishing prevents us from judging and it brings our true power back. It can be a humbling, sometimes painful to meet what we truly feel, but always empowering. Compassion and love grows out of such awareness, the very qualities which can heal humanity as well as ourselves. 

It all starts within.