Read Time: 2.5 Min.
Many of us have been taught that love is overbearing; we were led to believe it hurts to love and to be loved. As parents, partners, children, or friends – we somehow arrived at this notion that love is painful. The discomfort we experience is the grip we hold on to love with and not love itself. True love is freedom. It’s freedom from fear and disappointment. It is freedom from sorrow and toil. Love is abundance. Love is liberation.
Here are a few ways to love a bit better:
Loose Control
Stop trying to control other people. This is a major reason for pain and stress in human relationships. Even when it comes to children, there is a fine line between discipline and control. The same is true in romantic relationships; trying to control a person is a sure way to disappointment.
Accept People for Who They Are
Acceptance is so vital. Often times, well-meaning loved ones indirectly reject those they care for by not allowing them to walk in authenticity. Love does not say a thing or behavior is right or wrong. True love accepts, even when it may not agree.
Love Others As You Love Yourself
The better we love ourselves the better we are at loving others. If we have thoughts of hurt, rejection, defeat, and strife we cannot expect to extend grace, peace, and forgiveness to another. You have to first love you.
Dr. Maya Angelou Said
"I am grateful to have been loved and to be loved now and to be able to love, because that liberates. Love liberates. It doesn't just hold—that's ego. Love liberates. It doesn't bind. Love says, 'I love you. I love you if you're in China. I love you if you're across town. I love you if you're in Harlem. I love you. I would like to be near you. I'd like to have your arms around me. I'd like to hear your voice in my ear. But that's not possible now, so I love you. Go."
Now go. And truly love.