Tell us about your book Enough as You Are and what inspired you to write it?

It’s so important to remember our inherent worth as human beings, that we are indeed enough, just as we are. I convey this truth in all the work I do and wanted to write a book rooted in our enoughness; a call for deeper self-acceptance and self-love, a reminder that even with all our fears, insecurities and anxieties, we are still worthy human beings. This book is a collection of short prose and poetry, the type of book you can read straight through or treat like an oracle deck of sorts, turning to a page each day and meditating on the theme of that page’s message.

What is a “Love Activist” and why is it a title you happily own?

I see a love activist as someone who makes a lot of noise for the power of love, who is intentional about reminding the world that love is our greatest healer, and with it informing our thoughts, words and actions, there are no limits to what we can co-create here. I don’t see myself as an expert in anything, but I’ve gotten really good at loving myself and others, and really good at encouraging others to do so too.

You say that our relationship with ourselves informs how we show up in the world more than anything else. How so?

When I’m in good relationship with myself, I tend to be in good relationship with the world around me. When I’m feeling like crap about myself, it colors how I feel about the world too. It all starts from within. But love—even self-love—always transcends self, which is why it’s so important to focus on our relationship with ourselves, and to foster as much self-compassion and self-love as we can, knowing that doing so will benefit all, first and foremost ourselves. Self-love is the most beautiful selfishness that exists in our world.

You mention forgiveness several times throughout the book. Why is forgiveness important, and do you believe it’s necessary for everyone to forgive?

I don’t believe it’s necessary for everyone to do anything, but I have seen time and again how liberating it feels to forgive. I see forgiveness as a natural extension of love, and as a pathway for peace as I relate to past hurts. I don’t believe the darkness that lives in even the most hurtful actions of others is greater than the love that lives within my being, and so I always see forgiveness as a possibility. But that’s my path. Yes, I believe anyone who finds their way to forgiveness will be served by doing so, but it is up to them to decide if that’s the path they want to take.

Why is Enough as You Are especially important at this moment in time?

The essence of Enough as You Are will always be important, because we need to come into a more loving relationship with ourselves, and to realize we are worthy, so that we can start treating each other with more compassion and love, and actually stand a chance to transform our world for the better by doing do. It really does all start from within.

You say that it’s necessary to numb ourselves sometimes. How does that align with your call for us to feel our feelings in an honest way?

I don’t believe healing happens in our denial; it happens when we’re willing to be honest with how we’re feeling and accepting enough to love ourselves through the process. At the same time, this reality can be incredibly difficult, and it can be overwhelming to be feeling everything all the time. It’s human nature to want to check out sometimes, to numb. I’m interested in bringing grace and acceptance to whatever I’m choosing, knowing that all my choices are representative of the human experience. I know, though, that if all I’m doing is numbing, I’m bringing myself no closer to creating ease around whatever it is I’m numbing from.

What do you most hope readers will take away from your book?

My hope is that readers will feel seen and understand, at least in some ways, when they read Enough as You Are. I want them to recognize how similar we all are as human beings, all of us wanting to love and be loved. In this recognition, my hope is that readers will be a bit more empathetic and compassionate with others, and with themselves. I want them to understand that their worth is inherent, predicated on nothing other than their birthright as a worthy human being. I want them to feel the promise of the title, that they are without question, enough as they are.

Scott Stabile is the author of Enough as You Are and Big Love: The Power of Living with a Wide-Open Heart. He is a passionate love advocate who believes there is no force more powerful than love to create real connection and healing in our world. Scott guides transformational breathwork journeys and leads personal empowerment workshops internationally. His inspirational posts have attracted a huge and devoted social media following, including more than 350,000 Facebook fans. For more info visit him online at ScottStabile.com and/or check out his newsletter at http://www.scottstabile.substack.com.