Released to Love
Love. I do not believe that I have ever been in love before. I have experienced lust and infatuation. I have definitely "liked" someone a lot . . . a whole lot but love in the purest form of the word, I have yet to experience. In order to fall in love and be loved it is imperative to get past some of those experience that have left us broken-hearted, wounded and fearful of being hurt again.
Relationships between men and women are incredibly difficult for many reasons. One primary reason is caused because we consciously and unconsciously bring forth all of our past pains and disappointments into current relationships. As a result, we end up holding people accountable for crimes that they have not committed. When two people come together who are dating or married-- with different backgrounds, life experiences and circumstances, it is hard enough to mesh the two into one. However, when you bring old wounds, disappointments and fears from the past with you, it is nearly impossible to have a healthy and well-rounded relationship.
If you desire to bury old wounds and move away from the past, it is important to accept the fact that everything in your life happens for a reason and a divine purpose. All experiences whether bad or good are designed to make you strong and wise. As I look back at all of my life experiences and relationships, although some have been painful and disappointing, I have no doubt that they have made me a better person. Whether it’s not getting into the law school of my choice, or not being able to buy the first car that I really wanted or allowing someone to walk out of life whom I really wanted to stay-- in retrospect all experiences have worked for my good. However, I made a conscious decision not to allow the disappointments to keep me down but rather build me up, strengthen me and empower me. The good news is that the choice is up to you! Are you going to allow your past hurt and disappointment to keep you behind and in bondage? Or are you going to move forward and choose to become a better, stronger and wiser person who is released to love? The choice IS up to you! Releasing the past leaves you open to bear all that the future has for you.
In addition, to burying those past experiences which have been painful for me, I forever strive to walk towards love like a child does-- with an open heart that is not hardened by life. The following quotes are wonderful reminders of how children see love. Embracing some of these principles, will set your heart free so that you can give unconditional love and receive unconditional love in return.
FROM AN EMAIL FORWARD
A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year olds:"What does love mean?"
"You really shouldn't say 'I LOVE YOU' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget."Jessica - age 8
***********************
"When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you."Karen - age 7
***********************
"When my grandma got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandpa does it for her now all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love."Rebecca - age 8
***********************
"When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouths."Billy - age 4
***********************
"Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving Cologne and they go out and smell each other."Kari - age 5
***********************
"Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French Fries without making them give you any of theirs."Chrissy - age 6
***********************
"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired."Terri - age 4
***********************
"Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK."Danny - age 7
***********************
"Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My mommy and daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss."Emily - age 8
***********************
"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen."Bobby - age 7
***********************
"If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate."Nikka - age 6
***********************
"Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, and then he wears it everyday."Noelle - age 7***********************
"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well."Tommy - age 6
***********************
"During my piano recital, I was on stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore."Cindy - age 8
***********************
"Love is when mommy sees daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford."Chris - age 7
***********************
"Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day."
Mary Ann - age 4
Relationships between men and women are incredibly difficult for many reasons. One primary reason is caused because we consciously and unconsciously bring forth all of our past pains and disappointments into current relationships. As a result, we end up holding people accountable for crimes that they have not committed. When two people come together who are dating or married-- with different backgrounds, life experiences and circumstances, it is hard enough to mesh the two into one. However, when you bring old wounds, disappointments and fears from the past with you, it is nearly impossible to have a healthy and well-rounded relationship.
If you desire to bury old wounds and move away from the past, it is important to accept the fact that everything in your life happens for a reason and a divine purpose. All experiences whether bad or good are designed to make you strong and wise. As I look back at all of my life experiences and relationships, although some have been painful and disappointing, I have no doubt that they have made me a better person. Whether it’s not getting into the law school of my choice, or not being able to buy the first car that I really wanted or allowing someone to walk out of life whom I really wanted to stay-- in retrospect all experiences have worked for my good. However, I made a conscious decision not to allow the disappointments to keep me down but rather build me up, strengthen me and empower me. The good news is that the choice is up to you! Are you going to allow your past hurt and disappointment to keep you behind and in bondage? Or are you going to move forward and choose to become a better, stronger and wiser person who is released to love? The choice IS up to you! Releasing the past leaves you open to bear all that the future has for you.
In addition, to burying those past experiences which have been painful for me, I forever strive to walk towards love like a child does-- with an open heart that is not hardened by life. The following quotes are wonderful reminders of how children see love. Embracing some of these principles, will set your heart free so that you can give unconditional love and receive unconditional love in return.
FROM AN EMAIL FORWARD
A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year olds:"What does love mean?"
"You really shouldn't say 'I LOVE YOU' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget."Jessica - age 8
***********************
"When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you."Karen - age 7
***********************
"When my grandma got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandpa does it for her now all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love."Rebecca - age 8
***********************
"When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouths."Billy - age 4
***********************
"Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving Cologne and they go out and smell each other."Kari - age 5
***********************
"Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French Fries without making them give you any of theirs."Chrissy - age 6
***********************
"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired."Terri - age 4
***********************
"Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK."Danny - age 7
***********************
"Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My mommy and daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss."Emily - age 8
***********************
"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen."Bobby - age 7
***********************
"If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate."Nikka - age 6
***********************
"Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, and then he wears it everyday."Noelle - age 7***********************
"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well."Tommy - age 6
***********************
"During my piano recital, I was on stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore."Cindy - age 8
***********************
"Love is when mommy sees daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford."Chris - age 7
***********************
"Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day."
Mary Ann - age 4
posted by TEMPLE @ 5:44 PM
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