This sign stands on my mantle. I want to keep it there as a daily reminder of the focus I want to take--a focus to be more loving.
It is my aim to be as loving as I can be, and that is not always a simple goal. Why?
Looking back, I know that the will to be loving is challenged by multiple factors. First, it's difficult to be loving when there are multiple forces working against your good living and good choices. Negative forces such as unsupportive family members, difficult economic circumstances, conflicting/competing priorities, physical/mental health hurdles, societal prejudice/oppression, and personal problems can both hinder and inform your journey to be more loving.
Tough circumstances inform your will to be more loving since tough circumstances provide the opportunity to develop empathy. Empathy definitely helps you to be more loving if you allow yourself to step into others' life circumstances and understand their struggles. Tough circumstances also obstruct your ability to be more loving--if you're struggling against problems, oppression, and prejudice of any kind, it can be difficult to rise above that to be loving to yourself and others.
You are able to love others more, if you love yourself in healthy, positive ways with good routines, relationships, and direction. And you can love others more, if you really listen and get to know what those individuals want out of life, and then support their journey.
This past week, I had the chance to shower a family member with love. It felt very good. I was able to pinpoint a number of activities that speak to who this person is and what he wants, and engage in those activities to celebrate this person's special celebration. The person was happy. He felt the love, and I was happy to be able to help make this positive event happen. I love celebrating special events with and for people.
Sometimes the daily love is more challenging. This is particularly true when you are pulled in multiple directions. There was a time last year when one loved one needed me and was somewhat angry that I couldn't be there for him. Yet, at that time, I was fully committed to another demanding area of life--I hardly had time to come up for air. It was difficult to balance the demands of multiple areas though I tried.
Daily love can be challenging too when you are supporting loved ones who are finding their ways--there's that balance between supporting who they are and what they want and giving them the independence they need to build their own lives.
So how will I empower this loving journey--what will I do?
First, create a good playing field for love which means getting rid of and/or simplifying areas of life that take up a lot of unnecessary space emotionally and physically. Few things, more time, and more time means a greater ability to be loving.
Next, think deeply about the people in my life and how to strengthen those good relationships in loving ways--what can I do to love my family members and frieds more. How can I help them? How can I support their dreams? In what ways, will we celebrate and enjoy each others company?
And what can I do to strengthen myself in ways that allow me to be more loving? How can I get rid of the anchors that hold me back from being a more generous and loving person?
It is a luxury to have this time to think about love. I am grateful for this time and direction. I look forward to where this journey will take me.