"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 first starts with 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 don't always say the right thing, and we just 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. It's just another way of dealing with the same situation. Every person is unalike and carries a different set of opinions. And when you accept someone completely, you learn to take these differences in stride. However, sometimes it can drive us crazy when our friends, family, and relations do things so foreign to the way we would ourselves.
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 others closest to us.
Remember this Valentine’s Day that you don’t always have to agree with someone to love them, and you don’t always have 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…”
Just The Way You Are -Billy Joel
Comments will be approved before showing up.
Michael Wilson
Author