What's love got to do with it!

Part 2

So what is LOVE?? In America, most people would describe the meaning and attributes of love the same once they get beyond describing the "feeling". They might even quote or misquote the Bible verse that can be found on greeting cards and t-shirts in original or watered-down versions or speak of love in jest. Here are some common ones:

Love is patient, love is kind....love is the ultimate gift, Love is forever... LOVE is chocolate without calories, coffee in bed, a day off, dog kisses... Love is .. you get the picture!

Now I like humor and won't say it's irreverent to trivialize LOVE but hmm, does it dilute the meaning of LOVE and the importance of love? Has love lost its proper 1st place priority in our lives?

We hear the word mindful and intentional a lot these days so I'm going to challenge us all to be more mindful and intentional when it comes to LOVE!

What does that mean exactly, it means first using your mind to 1) explore its meaning and traits 2) Find the essence of love 3.) Make it a priority to grow more loving!

1. Explore the meaning and truth of love. I am not here to define it or give you the ultimate truth of love. I will only suggest some options to consider that may set you on your own journey to discover LOVE more fully. You may be aware there are anywhere from 4-12 different kinds of love. The most widely discussed are these four: Eros ( romantic), Agape ( Godly, sacrificial ) Storge ( familial ), and Philia ( friendship)

Then there are the traits of love: patience, kindness, humbleness, forgiveness, compassion, loyalty, long-suffering, hope, and generosity. And finally, the truth: for some LOVE is the source of all, some call it the universal energy, God or Jesus and some still consider it an emotion or action. So, What is your truth of LOVE? Don't answer too quickly, don't go on autopilot, stop and ponder before regurgitating your "meaning of Love". Allow the space. What does Love mean to YOU and what does all of this talk of LOVE stir up for you? or are your comfortably numb to the topic?

1. Find the essence of Love in you! How we love is probably more important than defining it. The popular book Love languages says, how we express love is our Love language. Before we get into expressing it I want to consider that love is not purely an emotion or behavior it is an energy - for me I believe the essence of love is God. IF you don't believe in a universal being/ God then where does this mysterious "E-motion" come from? Is it merely just the reaction to your thoughts of someone, a learned behavior? Is it simply, "I like their personality, style, character, intellect .. therefore I feel affection, interest...Love for them?" Before we can love we must know and experience love. Most of us define it from our experiences with parents, partners, and others- all of whom are flawed and struggling to express it fully! What is your belief about LOVES ESSENCE/SOURCE? Are they biblical or societal, do you even know your own definition, attributes, your love language? I encourage you to write them down, put pen to paper: Love is... ? You may find some old beliefs that aren't really so beneficial anymore or you may find some that you need to put back in to practice.

2. Make it a priority to grow more loving! We all have everyday rituals. Is focusing on Love one of yours? Or is it as I said earlier, on autopilot, assumed to be working fine. Once you know your beliefs, priorities, and desires around love it's like setting autocorrect. You should be getting notifications throughout your day alerting you to missteps or opportunities to self-correct and love a little better and a little more. I encourage you today.. make that list, and MAKE LOVE A FOCUS OF YOUR DAY- EVERY DAY! LOVE OTHERS AS YOU LOVE YOURSELF! Try these too exercises and pay attention to your thoughts and emotions as they arise- they are there to teach you something more about LOVE!

INSERT YOUR NAME INTO THE FOLLOWING.

If (I) _ your name___speak in the language of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

If (I)____NAME ___give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames but have not love, I gain nothing.

LOVE IS...

___name___ is patient, ___name __ is kind ___name __ does not envy, ___name __does not boast, ___name __is not proud ___name ___is not rude, ___name ___is not self-seeking, ___name ___is not easily angered, it ___name___keeps no record of wrongs.

___name ___does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ___name __always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. __name__never fails.

If you need more love in your life, have layered on shame, guilt, or self-doubt that is blocking love or you just want to further explore your thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors that may be blocking you from living your happiest life and most rewarding life consider booking a free sample session with me at www.lifebydesignwiththeresa.com and we can explore ways to get you : Living a life you'll LOVE !