Today I got a call from my best friend, who is sick and lamenting her situation. To top it all off, she's had a bad time of it lately at work, and she's just feeling glum, all round. Besides the obvious pep talks and ra-ra-ra's, how do you go about cheering someone up?
I like to go with the less obvious. Forget the flowers and free meds. I like to communicate just exactly how much I love and adore this friend, because let's face it, who doesn't like to be told they're loved, no matter what. Loved unconditionally and without fail. I thought I'd let her know how much she really means to me. And so I did, but via a beautifully worded text message, because sometimes it's easier written than said. I told her she's "my person", always and forever and that I'm always here for her - a cry on the shoulder, or a bottle of red wine, when she makes me watch horror films and rugby with her (I hate rugby and horror), or when she tries out new recipes on me. When she borrows books I haven't yet read, or when she laughs at me on my crutches ("Speedy" my ass!). And then I got to thinking about how everyone should have "a person", be it a friend, lover or family.
What does it mean to love unconditionally? I had a strange realization the other day, and that's that unconditional love is really rather scarce. We tend to judge people, forget them, hold stuff against them or impress upon them our disapproval, and that's when love is no longer pure - it's tainted and murky and it takes a lot of effort to remember what it feels like to let go and love unconditionally. To me, unconditional love means a non-judgemental and immediately forgiving approach. And the more I do it, the easier it comes. But I also think that it goes beyond practice and sometimes has everything to do with who the person is that you love unconditionally. Let's face it, it's far easier to feel that way if you feel you're receiving the same kind of love in return. So maybe it's a combo of practice, mindfulness and finding the riht person.
Try it today, in your own tiny way, to be free - love, and let the light in!
Wishing you lots of unconditional love, warmth and sunflowers
AG
I like to go with the less obvious. Forget the flowers and free meds. I like to communicate just exactly how much I love and adore this friend, because let's face it, who doesn't like to be told they're loved, no matter what. Loved unconditionally and without fail. I thought I'd let her know how much she really means to me. And so I did, but via a beautifully worded text message, because sometimes it's easier written than said. I told her she's "my person", always and forever and that I'm always here for her - a cry on the shoulder, or a bottle of red wine, when she makes me watch horror films and rugby with her (I hate rugby and horror), or when she tries out new recipes on me. When she borrows books I haven't yet read, or when she laughs at me on my crutches ("Speedy" my ass!). And then I got to thinking about how everyone should have "a person", be it a friend, lover or family.
What does it mean to love unconditionally? I had a strange realization the other day, and that's that unconditional love is really rather scarce. We tend to judge people, forget them, hold stuff against them or impress upon them our disapproval, and that's when love is no longer pure - it's tainted and murky and it takes a lot of effort to remember what it feels like to let go and love unconditionally. To me, unconditional love means a non-judgemental and immediately forgiving approach. And the more I do it, the easier it comes. But I also think that it goes beyond practice and sometimes has everything to do with who the person is that you love unconditionally. Let's face it, it's far easier to feel that way if you feel you're receiving the same kind of love in return. So maybe it's a combo of practice, mindfulness and finding the riht person.
Try it today, in your own tiny way, to be free - love, and let the light in!
Wishing you lots of unconditional love, warmth and sunflowers
AG
Sadly I don't have an Ala Grey's friend. I would love one though. I think Ala Grey's friends deveop from a shared experience. I do have friends but not the kind that you can say what you like and the person doesn't take offence. A friend that can take your good times and bad ones without disappearing when you are feeling low. I still have lots of time ahead of me to find the elusive friend. I do however have a life partner that I share my life with. We do have good and bad times together.
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