A friend listened to me tell a story about caring for a relative. I mentioned to my friend that my relative asked why I was helping in that way, and my friend had sage advice. She said, simply say, I am doing this because I love you. How simple, how truthful and how perfect is that sentence because that's exactly why I am doing what I am doing, and no more words have to be said.
Before my friend's sage advice, I was giving a longer, more detailed explanation--one that was not as comforting and helpful as the statement, I am doing this because I love you. I look forward to trying out this simple, truthful sentence as I continue to support my loved one.
I also want to practice more ways to show greater love and affection. Our family has not been the kind of family that hugged each other a lot, but now as I care for loved ones, I'm recognizing the strength of those hugs--physical contact is so powerful especially when words have little value anymore. Being present is also valuable--just being there means a lot. And, preparing meals and doing chores helps a lot too.
Love fills us with incredible energy to do for others--looking back at some of what I've done in life, I know that I wouldn't have been able to do that without the great energy of love.
Because I love you is a powerful force as well as explanation when it comes to the choices we make and work we do in life. Onward.