The Valentine month is not over yet even though the red roses you gave and received must have wilted and since then thrown away. The place where I work is full of young people who showed considerable enthusiasm for the festival of love and since then there has been a debate going on about what love truly means. Here are some things that I would like to add to what all has been already said.
Among other things, love involves opening up our hearts, minds and souls to let others see who we really are with all our vulnerability and strength, trusting that we are actually lovable. Contrary to popular belief, love is not placid and passive devoid of all energy. Rather it is passionate and active as each small step we take to replace lies with truth, criticism with praise and fear with love is a big leap towards a new way of life. Loving means trusting that God’s support is present in your life.
Before it’s possible to love anyone, you have to risk and start to know yourself and confront the way you carry love into this world. Loving another being is not about him/her it’s about you. So, learning to love entails facing your true self and accepting the responsibility to become the person you want to be. As your inner dialogue goes on perpetually, God is always a part of it whether you choose to listen or not.
Ability to give unconditional love and accept it joyfully comes when you get ready to listen to loving messages from yourself and others. Let me wind up with a quote from my favourite poet, Khalil Gibran—
Love one another but make not a bond of love
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your soul.
