"The greatest happiness in life is the conviction that we are loved; loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves." –Victor Hugo.
To be seen and loved entirely for whom we are –both good and bad, strengths and weaknesses, faults and all is an empowering, idyllic and wonderful thing. True, unconditional love is not always easy to find, but perhaps being loved this way begins with first loving others this way ourselves.
You see, we human beings -we’re a mixed bag. We’re complex, multi-faceted emotional animals. We don't always do the right thing. We certainly don't always say the right thing, and we most definitely don’t all do things the same way. We’re all different.
Actually, that’s a wonderful thing because it allows us to learn and understand that there are different, but equal, perspectives in life. Remember, different does not necessarily mean incorrect. Many times it's just another way of dealing with the same situation. Every person is unalike, and carries a different set of opinions, views and experiences. -And when you accept someone or love someone completely, you learn to take these differences in stride.
However, sometimes it can drive us absolutely bonkers when our friends, family, and relations do things so foreign to the way we would ourselves. It's okay. Relax. Take a beat, and understand that we all have our moments when we struggle to accept others as they are, but if we can judge less and recognize that becoming more accepting of others is one way to make our relationships grow, the more these relationships will flourish and the happier we’ll be.
Because when it comes to living a happy life and sharing love, acceptance is key —Particularly the acceptance of those closest to us.
Remember that you don’t always have to agree with someone to love them, and you don’t need to see things the same way either. Always keep in mind that a path to both happier and enduring relationships begins with the acceptance and appreciation of our loved ones –flaws and all, just the way they are.
"I said I love you, and that's forever, And this I promise from the heart. I could not love you any better. I love you just the way you are…” -Billy Joel
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Michael Wilson
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