**Self-Love: The Missing Piece to Your Happiness Puzzle** As we navigate life's twists and turns, it's easy to get caught up in the idea that our happiness depends on someone or something else. But, dear Nigerian, this couldn't be further from the truth. According to Nollywood actress and entrepreneur Mary Njoku, our happiness is not something to be outsourced. In fact, it's time we learn to put ourselves first. Mary's words of wisdom are a timely reminder that our lives are our own, and our happiness is our responsibility. As mothers, we're often told to put our children's needs before our own, but what about our own well-being? It's okay to take a break, to rest, and to prioritize our own happiness. After all, life is short, and we never know when it will end. As Mary so eloquently puts it, "If you’re a mother, love your children, but love yourself too." This message of self-love is especially relevant in our fast-paced, competitive world. We're constantly bombarded with messages telling us that success is the ultimate goal, and that we need to be constantly striving for more. But what happens when we reach the top? Do we truly find happiness, or do we just find a new set of challenges to overcome? Mary's words are a gentle reminder that our happiness is not something to be achieved through external validation, but rather through self-love and self-awareness. In fact, Mary's thoughts on self-love are a continuation of her previous messages on the importance of prioritizing our own growth and development. She's emphasized the need to continually learn and adapt, to never stop growing, and to always push ourselves to be our best selves. By doing so, we can break free from the constraints of societal expectations and forge our own paths to happiness. So, dear Nigerian, let's take a cue from Mary Njoku and prioritize our own happiness. Let's learn to love ourselves, to take care of ourselves, and to put our own needs first. Only then can we truly find fulfillment and happiness in our lives. As Mary so beautifully puts it, "Life is too short not to".