Friday, June 29, 2012

Love Sees No Difference

Please take a good look at the image above and notice the tender expression of love on the monkey’s face.

It speaks volumes.

This precious photo was forwarded to me by my brother, Tom, from an email that was sent to him. The email included several photos like the one pictured here; most of which had to do with the unspoken love between animals and humans.

However, this one touched me the most.

I sat and stared at this image on and off for days because to me it exemplified how love, regardless of species, gender, race, culture, sexual orientation, or whether it be through friendship or intimacy …..sees no difference.

Love is love.

We seem to want to place love into some kind of category; believing that it belongs here, but not there.

Yet, love can’t be categorized.

It just is.

I also think we idealize love sometimes, disappointed when it doesn’t live up to our expectations because we try to control it by attaching conditions.

“I’ll do this, but then you need to do that.”

Yet, the amazing thing about the essence of love is that it knows no condition, so it can’t be controlled or withheld.

Love is love.

I think back to the many times in my life, whether in friendship or intimacy, when I did this myself. And still do at times.

I withheld, manipulated, and placed conditions on the love I shared. And I thought that by doing this no one could take advantage of my love, as if I owned it; playing even stevens.

We often put too much pressure on love to fulfill our own sense of insecurity, and then when it doesn’t work out that way we blame it on love. But I truly think that’s because we haven’t learned have to love ourselves first – warts and all.

I have always believed that animals are the true teachers when it comes to love because they know how to love without condition. They don’t concern themselves with species, gender, race, culture, or sexual orientation.

They just love and don’t hold back; waiting for it to be matched.

I also believe that children are very much the same way.

Children don’t filter love through their minds because they don’t have an agenda.

They just love.

So maybe the key is to take a look at the example which animals and children give us. And then try doing a little of what they do.

Because I believe the ‘little child’ within us still knows…

…that love is love.

Wishing you a love-filled weekend everyone!

X

P.S. See you in Florida next week! Tropical Storm Debby is gone…yaaaaaaaaaay!