What Does Love Really Mean?

Hi there and welcome back,

I hope you’ve had a bit of time to think about love, about what it really means and how you can show someone you really love them. 

In this post I’d like to add a few suggestions of my own—both how you might show another person that you love them, but also how to show self-love and why it’s so important for wellbeing, as well as for your ability to give graciously.

Let’s start with self-love. Isn’t it selfish to spend time on yourself? Shouldn’t you, if you’re really loving, spend all your time nurturing others and sacrificing yourself in their best interests? No. If you’re all give, you’ll soon become depleted! Think about when you visit someone’s home, and they insist on doing everything entirely for you, becoming more and more visibly exhausted in the process. Makes you feel guilty, not replenished, doesn’t it?

Treat yourself warmly and kindly. When you hear critical self-talk, stop and ask yourself if that’s what you would say to your best friend if they’d done whatever you’re criticising. Unlikely! Instead, say to yourself what you’d say to them. Take time, too, for your physical needs—prepare and enjoy nourishing healthy meals, get enough rest, and take time to exercise. That way, you’ll give to others from a rich store, with energy left over to share their enjoyment.

And when you give to others, prioritise the gift of your own self over what your credit card can offer. When your loved one wishes to talk to you, stop what you’re doing if you can--if not, let them know the earliest moment you can give them your full attention. Then turn off your devices, make good eye contact, and listen. Fully. Nonjudgmentally. No gift you can give is more precious.

Kahlil Gibran in his wonderful book The Prophet says it best: 

‘You give little when you give of your possessions.

It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.’

Enjoy the rewards that showing true loving will give both you and those to whom you give.

Until next time,

Linda and Caroline