“The Eskimos had fifty-two names for snow because it was important to them:
there ought to be as many for love.” ~ Margaret Atwood
It’s now March and despite the icy snow storm blowing outside my window, I am still basking in the warm glow of February and the month’s connection with the emotion of love. Ah, love… desire... passion… longing: these are some words that immediately come to mind when I consider some of my experiences of love. Yet, love has also felt committed, altruistic, comfortable, and abiding as well. Love is an emotion so immense that it defies definition. It lies at the crux of everything that we do, and informs who we are.
Although it seems to manifest in different forms, with friends, lovers, parents, children, community, etc., love shares one common denominator: relationship. We understand and know love through relationship, and from that magic alchemy, we come to know ourselves. It is through the mirror of relationship that we see our beauty, realize our fears and insecurities, and know our strengths and best attributes. And if we are open to it, the power of relationship, in all of its wonder, glory, pain and sadness, can be a spiritual experience, expanding our hearts and minds in ways we never expected. Each person we encounter, from the casual interaction at the grocery store or in an elevator, to a dear friend experiencing the death of a loved one, provides an opportunity to look into the heart of love. Although we physically stand separate from others and can only experience the world through the lens of our individual perspectives and experiences, we share more in common than not. We all want happiness, regardless of how that’s defined… we all want to feel safe… we all want to be seen and heard… we all want to matter… we all want to be loved.
Relationships with others, and in particular with oneself, when approached with mindfulness, can be very powerful. Focusing deliberately in the moment, on others as well as on ourselves without judgment, may not only open the door to understanding and compassion, but also lead to profound healing. When approached from this perspective, acceptance without expectations is possible, forgiveness replaces anger, kindness and appreciation are effortless, and trust and unconditional love arise because we see each other and ourselves in the only moment that matters… now. In this moment of now, all things are possible, like choosing to be the best person one can be… fears of an anticipated future can fall away… miracles can happen.
“If you have your full attention in the moment, you will see only love.” ~Deepak Chopra
Wishing that the miracle of love transforms your heart, mind and spirit today...
