2023 sees the continuation of my spreading the message of capital 'ell' Love. The Love that passes all understanding. The Universal Self (US) that shines within each of us, the universe of selves. No matter what your philosophical take on life, anyone who understands the Higher Essence of being human will hold a value structure which is also universal. Examples might be:
- kindness spreads like warm oil to soothe
- a smile costs nothing
- generosity is not just about money but the heart and mind also
- honesty, and its companion, integrity, will carry one far
- compassion builds connection
- courage/fortitude - to adhere to higher values and to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves
- prudence - knowing when and when not, to speak or act
- temperance - not just of eating and drinking, but of behaviour
Each culture, indeed each individual, will have their own variations. There is one thing that is like water or food to all, however. Love. Primarily we seek it in its lowercase form from our family, our 'other half'... our pets. Generally, when we talk about love, we are really meaning affection (or lust, in the case of more intimate relationships) We seek it for selfish reasons - for the need to be needed, or being acknowledged, or just for succour. When it comes to giving love, there are usually caveats. Expectations of return - or exercise of control over the object of that love. Small-letter love, when we don't receive the return we expect on it, can result in jealousy, worry, sulking, anger or depression... So very often, that which is called love falls well short of the meaning placed on that wee word.
Capital 'ell' Love knows no boundaries; it has no caveats and is truly unconditional. It is not selfish or self-serving. It places no demands upon the other. Existing in Love requires self-discipline, dropping of the ego, discrimination and a degree of distance. There is no expectation of return from living Lovingly - other than, perhaps, the expansion of our better nature.
It's a nuanced thing, this finding balance in being the best human being we can be. Let us go forward into the year with at least some desire to be that best, but let us also have compassion for ourselves when we fall short. Never cease from the attempt.
Wise words to live by.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on and stay safe
Oh, that love would prevail!!!
ReplyDeleteLOVE is wonderful. Go check out Jazzi's old blog. I'm the new bunny. My name is Scooter
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written
ReplyDeleteagree 100 % with every word spoken today. and especailly like the Capital and Small ell comparison. I see a lot of the small in people who say they love others but only love the lovely or the ones that love them back.
ReplyDeletea perfect example of what a smile can do is this. On our daily walk we see people of all colors and walks of life. two weeks ago a new person rode into our walk space. she is asian, on a small bike, with a little girl about 18 months old sitting on a seat between her legs. The first time we saw her, I smiled really big because they made such a precious picture to me. she had a look of shock on her face and did not respond. two days later, we saw her coming and I smiled again and her face split into a huge smile and she waved and now we wave, smile and speak. i have seen many times what a single smile can do if it is with love. People change before our eyes when we smile. and these days smiling is shocking in our world. Love with Capital ell! love it
Hari OM
DeletePerfect example!!! Yxx
Hello YAM,
ReplyDeleteWhat an inspiring post and message. Thanks for your kindness! Happy Sunday, have a happy new week!
😘🙏
DeleteWhat a good and heartfelt post that truly spoke to me. Wee need much more capital L in our lives, in politics, in the Royal Family!, in almost everything...
ReplyDeleteHari OM
DeleteIt's like peace, Mike... we have to keep 'preaching' it for it is far too easy to fall to the lowest common denominator! Yxx
Amen 🙏
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite quotes is "of all the things you can be....BE KIND"
ReplyDeleteHugs Cecilia
PS thanks for the reminder to change the FFF
Wonderful post and very true. A smile costs nothing has always been my favorite.
ReplyDeleteI am trying to learn how to feel my feelings, the bad, which seem to be easier to embrace, than the good, such as love. Thanks for the capital ell (Love)! Keep being awesome!
ReplyDeleteHari OM
DeleteEach of us can - in the end - only truly ever be responsible for ourselves, our thoughts and deeds. Doing the best we can is all we can ask of ourselves. Yxx
What a great message from today's post.
ReplyDeleteFirst, we love Saturday Bird Songs! Second, if we could all find more Love the world would be a better place!
ReplyDeleteCan humans - as a race (and as an organism) - ever rise above their nature to compete? Or will we forever be relying on higher thinking individuals to try and teach this to every generation?
ReplyDeleteHari Om
DeleteAs a unit, our species is nothing more than a predatory animal... and sadly, that does mean that the 'sages' of each age must keep 'banging the drum'! Then thousand years of history hasn't changed that fact... Yxx
we love that definition of love... it sounds great and like the only one thing what can fix everything...
ReplyDeleteA very essential reminder. Without those universal values, life becomes a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury...
ReplyDeleteYour post really resonates with me. I'm focussed on honesty for now. In my writing, on the blog and in life offline.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post and especially for : "It's a nuanced thing, this finding balance in being the best human being we can be. Never cease from the attempt."
ReplyDelete