Love Abundantly, Live Lightly

If you have been following me on @socialmedia (Twitter, Instagram), you will probably be caught up with my latest posts on appreciation, humility, and genuine love that I have been feeling in the past few months. From my latest trip to Miami (loving and finding authentic happiness) to celebrating my birthday week, to landing myself a new full-time job, it has been all sorts of euphoric highs in the past month and so so SO much gratitude that has been at most times, overwhelming to handle. 

So this brings me to the topic of genuine love and its continuous presence in our lives and our greater awareness and understanding of its growth as we age and mature more comfortably into our bodies and souls. How does it differ from romantic love, that we all are so familiar with, as referred to by rom-coms, idealized fan-fics, and poetry written in international languages. 

Referring to psychotherapist, M. Scott Peck M.D.'s written account, The Road Less Travelled, genuine love involves watching and supporting the spiritual growth of someone that you have grown fond over, whether of a friendship, family relationship, colleague, pet, or student/teacher relationship. There are no boundaries or restrictions when it comes to genuine loving - whereas in a romantic relationship, there are external pressures both from social expectations and commercialism to find an ideal partner to attribute all your needs, wants, and desires to. 

“There are no boundaries or restrictions when it comes to genuine loving - whereas in a romantic relationship, there are external pressures both from social expectations and commercialism to find an ideal partner to attribute all your needs, wants, and desires to. ”

We cease or neglect to realize that we are abundant with so many resources, so many friends, followers, family members that will lend a helping hand when asked, will make the effort to put in the extra time to listen, will offer extra energy to assist in a project or large move when respectfully considered and spoken to. We grow with these people under our wing, under our wakeful eye, whom expect nothing in return but a feeling of wanting to provide support.

We tend to prioritize our existing partners or potential partners first - allowing this obligation to them to serve as the glue to provide service, support, and act as an aide when needed, sometimes at the rate where we are driven to feel attached, drained, remorseful, so on and so forth. 

And in such situations where you feel that you simply cannot rely on anyone else other than yourself, give back abundantly and thank yourself. Because truly, who knows you better than yourself, and if you are not at your best, how can you truly be able to give back to others in a fortuitous and gratifying manner? 

Even if there is no one that you feel worthy of thanking in your life now, perhaps giving yourself a little gratitude, maybe even the neighbour that always greets you with a smile, or the barista that prepares your favourite latte after you walk steps into a cafe in the morning. 

Trust me, over time, you can give up control to the universe and thank it for blessing you with great opportunities and people to bring them along, however minor or amazing, so long that you keep the doors to your heart open. 

And that is the secret, to living lightly, and loving abundantly.