What do you know about love? That is the question I posed to my ongoing fabulous support group. They gave themselves about fifteen minutes to write. You can imagine the joy and tears that filled the living room. Colored pastels were also on the table if they felt like doodling or drawing rather than words or wanted to do both.
Humans get hurt. Humans tell their stories over and over to heal. Humans feel the happy force of love and its ignition of new possibilities.
These are some words from their writing about what they know about love:
Children do it for me
Not a promise
Still believe
Didn’t learn enough about it to receive it
Makes me cry
Not hallmark on valentine’s day
My dog
Gardening
Learning something is love
Giving is love
Asking for help is love
Playing outside is love
Vacations from self-pity
Tears mean you love
I eat less when i am in love
I pass on my smile when I am love
Love is for everyone
Baking
Reading is love
Work is love
Beauty
Everyone everywhere in the world feels it and wants it
Silly
Parents weren’t really in love
Husband is my teacher of love
Up to me to love
Comes from within
Motivator
Mysterious
Solo can be love
Hiking is love
Sitting with a friend
Praying is love
Being present to love
What would you say about love?
What loving action will you give to yourself and then others? One woman in the group said, “I will be ok with sitting on the sofa and doing nothing, rather than feeling guilty.” Another said, ” I will go somewhere in my city this month that I have never gone to before and get over my fear of going alone.” “I will call a friend and tell them I need some help today.” “I will write a letter with no words, just doodles to my daughter.” “I will smile when I am at work, even though I wish I had a different job.” “I will clean out my closet.”
No matter what, LOVE RETURNS. Love is fed by what meaning, what deeply matters to you in your life. Nurture love. Nurture Joy.
“I will remind myself that my life is really good and I am a good person.” “I will self-care and stop thinking about the other person.” “I will dress sexy for me.” “I will make that sacred personal place in my home.” “I will back off from nagging my kids.” “I will laugh more by going outside to play.”
Wishing you many possibilities of love,
Natalie
Natalie Caine M.A.
Empty Nest Support Services
Life In Transition, What’s Next?
(800) 446-3310 or (818) 763-0188
Los Angeles
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