My life journey has been a bit of a roller coaster. I didn’t have a bad childhood and I had experienced and people in my life that have shaped me. These challenges, experiences and “created truths” have shaped and in some cases dictated where I am today. This past week and a half, I’m discovering newly what unconditional love is and how I respond to it.
Unconditional love is love that is given without any expectation, need or want for it to be returned. This can be opening a door for you, holding your hand during a difficult moment or calling or texting you on a crazy stressful day. The point is that they love you for you because you are in their life. This was a hard concept for me to grasp and took me a long time to get that I can be loved no matter what I do or don’t do with my life, my weight, how much money I make, or if I have been the perfect person I think I should be. And I finally got it and discovered how magical unconditional love can be, whether it is with a friend, family, stranger, or a significant other.
Now I’m discovering how I respond to unconditional love. Last week, I was in Sedona Arizona for my dad’s wedding. I purposefully surrounded myself with friends that over the years have become my family; some of the most influential and important people in my life today. I found so many little moments of beauty, gratitude, and just “wow” inside of the weekend. Whether it was taking a shot of tequila as part of a new fun game, ending each night with a friend on the patio staring at the stars and talking or watching each other dance to music in our suite; these moments were priceless. And inside of that same weekend, I started to realize where I have not been open to receiving unconditional love. My thoughts go to evening the score so I don’t owe anyone anything; questioning why they would even come to Sedona with me; or ensuring I split the bill with them when they offered to pay.
Inside of the 5 love languages, one that is most important to me is also the one that I fight the most; Acts of Service. One of my friend’s love language is Acts of Service as well. Over the last year, through his actions, he has really taught me to allow him and others to contribute to me and love me unconditionally. And this past week I realized, I am still questioning and fighting that love and contribution. While my past experiences and people in my life have taught me to the a strong, independent woman that can take care of myself; I’m realizing that I have also used that as a shield to protect myself. There is no room for unconditional love and contribution when I am only strong, independent and taking care of myself.
So I’m taking on practicing saying “Yes” to love and contribution someone wants to give me. Yes to a gesture of love – a full huge hug, paying a bill, driving me somewhere, planning the details to meet up, planning new experiences we haven’t done yet, or offering their thoughts and advice. I’m saying: Yes! No matter what I think, feel or my concerns. I invite you to say Yes! to unconditional love.