Love is the contribution that counts

“A coward is incapable of exhibiting love; it is the prerogative of the brave.

–Mahatma Gandhi

For awhile, when I first started dating Mr. J, the man who is now my husband, I spent time commenting even ruminating on his flaws. There weren’t any big bad ones, nothing worrisome, but, I was afraid of getting too close. I worked hard to come up with a “Cons” list of reasons to stay away. I listed things like “picky eater.” After all, the man doesn’t like olives. I mean what’s his deal?

But, the “Pros” list was long. He radiated joy and kindness and patience and fun and that was, well, freakin’ scary. To give myself over to all that goodness, meant I needed – even wanted – to be good back. I needed to love back. I didn’t know if I could do it. If I could give to that completely and still be who I knew myself to be. But when I did, I discovered that by loving someone else and being loved for just who I was, I became someone different, better, bigger than I’d always known myself to be.

Love can do that. It is the connecting force of the Universe. It is the energy and the opportunity. Today, reflect not on the love in your life, but how YOU love back. I’m not just talking about the obvious targets – our families and friends. Love is so much bigger than the narrow pathways that we cover in our daily lives. It goes beyond the people we know and extends to all people and all things.

If we are loving, it appears in how we look at the people we pass on the street. It shows up in how we behave when we get cut off on the highway. And in how we act when we feel hurt or criticized. We see it too in how we talk to ourselves after a blunder.

Love is how we relate and connect to that Universal or divine energy. With a little love for ourselves and others we live from a place of compassion and kindness and gratitude. We listen a little more patiently. We smile more often. And we say “Thank You.” We respect ourselves and others. And we give people the benefit of the doubt even when they are behaving badly. We nourish our bodies with healthy foods and thoughts. And we appreciate our natural environment and the beauty that surrounds us. Then, we realize, it is all beautiful.

Love isn’t a woo, woo, baby-talking kind of syrupy sweet thing. It’s concrete. It’s doable. It’s a life-changer that creates tangible results.

If your trying to figure out a way to contribute, a way to make a difference in the world, muster your courage and start with a little love. Love is the difference maker. It is the contribution that counts.

Photo by: Stock. xchng