Giving Love

Knowing that Love is the root cause of everything we do – either out of love or out of a lack of love, wouldn’t it make sense to intentionally give love every day, in every way possible?

I’m not talking about the fake, gushing, “Oh, aren’t you the most darling thing I’ve ever seen,” kind of thing.  I’m talking about genuine, deep down from the heart, love.  I’m talking about doing things you love, thinking about things you love, and talking about things you love.  I am talking about treating people the way you want to be treated, even when they are not loveable.

We all have our moments when we are not loveable – even if we hate to admit it, and in those moments, isn’t love the absolute best gift someone can give you?  I know when I’m behaving terribly, I need a hug, not a scolding.  I know that compassion softens my heart and lets me see the world in a new way.  

I am so thankful for those who have shown me compassion when I least deserved it -- those who have held me when I was upset, disgusted or discouraged.  Those who have let me cry, when my heart was broken, rather than telling me all the good things I have going for me, or ways I could change my outlook and get over it.  Let the emotions have their say – they are neither good nor bad.  They simply are.

When the tidal wave has passed and the calm sets in, clearness prevails.  I am able to think clearly about the situation, verse the times when my emotions have ran high and I was basically told to stuff them.  They always come back to haunt me and those around me.

In intending to give love, I make love my focus.  When love is my focus, I treat people right.  I do what is needed, willingly, happily.  I am creative and content.  I find joy in simple things.

When I don’t make love my intention, I quickly find myself mired in worry and fear.  I have a hard time making decisions, and continually second guess myself.  I become suspicious, if things don’t go the way I think they ought to.  My expectation of others becomes unrealistic.  It is not a pretty picture.

All day, this thought of intentionally giving love has been running through my head, and as I let it take root, peace and calm have taken over.  I have been able to see where I have been short changing myself, and thereby, those closest to me.  I still have a long way to go, to be the person I want to be, but I am going to get there with love and patience, not criticism and punishment.  

I intend to live my life with love, and that includes loving myself.