What is Love? It’s all about you…
Today, the #LetsBlogOff crew (designers, writers, architects and entrepreneurs) has been challenged with, “What is love?” In the spirit of love, I’ll be spending some quality time with one of my fellow bloggers every day reading and commenting on their love-filled post. I hope you will too. It’s one way to ensure you’ll have a love-filled February.
However you define it, it’s better when you:
When you love who you are, you’re rested, healthy, strong, vibrant. You have energy left to to give, to lift others up when needed. You recognize when you need help. And when you ask, you show others that it’s okay for them to ask. You find relationship all around you. You know that you’re never alone, no matter what your Facebook status says. You don’t expect anyone else to figure it out for you. You trust your instincts, knowing that this is your heart. This is love trying to show you the way. It’s what is meant to be.
Because when you Love Who You Are, you become:
And when you’re fearless, you’re warm. You open your heart to people and experiences. You give without expectation, without attachment to a specific outcome. You’re patient. You no longer focus on what you’ll get, because you have everything you need already. You know no one can take away the love within you. You know that when you give without fear, you get more than you could ever imagine. You don’t take things personally, you don’t make assumptions, you don’t let stories taint reality. You let your heart lead you, you trust that it knows what’s best for you.
When you’re Fearless, you see the world differently.
You see possibility where others see chaos. You meet people easily because they sense an openness. They want to be near you. You make them feel better. You try new things. When you look silly, or don’t succeed, you realize you can continue or you can stop. It was about trying and seeing what connected. This is how you figure out how to love who you are, how to express that within your life. You encourage others to try things too. When you see them try, you see their heart, and this makes you happy. This is what love is.
Photos: These Papaya Art postcards were the most thoughtful gift.
I can’t think of messages I’d rather spread than these.
Tweets that mention ThoughtfulContent » What is Love? It’s all about you… -- Topsy.com
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Paul Anater, Denese Bottrell. Denese Bottrell said: Today's #letsblogoff asks, What is Love? I think it's all about YOU. http://bit.ly/dYK7fE [...]
Joseph
I don’t know that love necessarily makes a person fearless, but it does give you someone to share your fears with. It also gives you someone to share your joys. And that’s the truth behind the saying, “A sorrow shared is divided; a happiness shared is doubled.”
jb @BuildingMoxie
shooo… (and don’t want to have this sound in any way sarcastic << had to say that because I admittedly don't always love myself) I want this! and something for sure to certainly aspire to. Love-ly post Denese!
Chamois
Those postcards are charming! Wonderful post – too often, we forget about ourselves when it comes to people worth loving.
Denese
Joseph, you bring up a great point. I know that for me, love becomes better when I’m comfortable in my own shoes. When you can connect with someone that understands that as well, and is happy letting you be who you are, even encouraging you when you’re a little shaky, that’s when you experience the depth of love you’re describing. (And, when you can encourage them to be who they are…) I always enjoy your insight and your blog posts, Joseph. Thank you!
Denese
Jb, I don’t think anyone ever masters the art of loving themselves. Its probably one of those ongoing projects best taken one day at a time. We’re so hard on ourselves. If we can just try to be a little more accepting of ourselves, maybe we’ll become a little gentler, more accepting of others. Sometimes it’s easier than others, that’s for sure. Like you said…. Something to aspire to.
Andrea
Beautifully said. I’m glad you visited my blog – ’cause now I know about yours! Your wise words mean a lot to me. Picking up from your comment (thank you for that!) music is a place where I’ve been able to explore what you’ve written about, taking risks toward greater openness – and the rewards have been innumerable.