Back when I was in college, I took a course on human sexuality. I recall a discussion one day on self-love, and some time later I was assigned to produce a personal essay. The result totally cracked up the instructor, and I regret not saving it. This is the best summary I can make from my memory.
My parents had a huge hard-cover volume entitled The Home Health Guide and Medical Encyclopedia. While much of it was fascinating, there was a section which stated that masturbation was a natural part of human development, but should not become a substitute for marriage. That reminded me of one day, in Sunday school, when my teacher brought up the population explosion, and I blurted out, "Why is that still a problem? Don't we have birth control?"
Indeed. Why should I consider marriage, when our culture encourages such rampant and environmentally destructive proliferation, and such matrimonial urges as are antipathetic to our survival? I choose to love myself!
Anyway, while it's not Woody Allen, it's pretty much where I still am.
March 24, 2026.