Unconditional Love

These are two very powerful words and although separate they have such depth of meaning, together they are almost impossible. However, these two words achieved can be one of the greatest factors to true relationship. After Valentine’s Day, one always ponders love. Do I love people the way I should? Am I loved by the people I surround myself with on a daily basis? Am I capable of loving fully? I think those are all great thoughts to ponder but the one that always grips my heart is about unconditional love. This is a love that has no conditions and has no limitations. There are no strings attached when it comes to unconditional love. I believe it is very true that there are times we do not like our loved ones but we should continue loving them through the good and the bad, the highs and the lows, and the imperfections.

As I look at my short life, I can see so many examples of unconditional love. Also, I can see so many examples of love that had conditions. I have a couple of best friends who might not always agree with my decisions but have loved me through every one of them. I know I can be completely transparent, admit my deepest faults and weaknesses and still be fully loved. I feel the same way about my family. There have been times where we screamed and shouted and said hurtful words in the moment but I woke up the next day without a doubt in my mind that my Dad, Mom and brother loved me no matter what. You forgive, you forget, you move on and you love with no conditions. When I was in church work, there were many people who loved me until I turned out to be something they did not agree with. Their love and relationship then had conditions. If you are not what I want you to be, then therefore I can’t love you fully. That is NOT unconditional love. Or in CFCArts, there have been times I have been loved until I could no longer give the next solo, or offer a job opportunity or simply had to make a tough decision as a leader. I am not saying that people that love you always have to agree with you, support a decision or even show you tough love- but they do still have to love you.

Here are some thoughts on unconditional love:

• It is generous and does not keep score.

• It is a choice and you must act on it- it is more of a behavior than it is an emotion.

• You must love yourself first unconditionally, before you can love others.

• Dwell on the sincerity of love and that relationship and do not let ego get in the way.

• Unconditional love does not mean that you sacrifice your health or emotional state of being. If a situation causes you harm, you must get out.

• Do not harbor hurt feelings and truly forgive- then forget.

I also think on the flip side that if someone shows you unconditional love, that we do not take advantage of it. We see it as a precious gift, extremely fragile and thankful for every moment it exists.

I encourage you today to strive to love those that you truly care about unconditionally. Do not let a circumstance or situation dictate the love that they receive from you. Forgive those that have hurt you and be in place of peace and respite so you can truly love with no limitations.

Much Love,

JV