What is Love, Anyway?

OK, I will start by apologizing if any of you now can’t stop singing the 80s song with the above title. That’s been the case for me ever since I thought of the title for this article 🙂 Anyway, as we approach Valentines Day, I thought this would be an appropriate topic to discuss.

Every Valentines Day, we hear plenty about the topic of love. But what is love, really? We hear that God is love. If you read the Bible, you will find plenty of definitions of what love is. However, the definition of love I will share here may not be one of the exact definitions you will find in the Bible, but instead is the most helpful definition for me.

The most relevant and helpful definition of love I have ever found is one that comes from Eckhart Tolle in his classic book, “The Power of Now.” It’s an incredible book that I highly recommend. Honestly, it’s not the easiest book to read, and I’ve had to go through it a few times. However, it is well worth it. At one point in the book, he describes love as simply seeing God in someone or something. When you think about this definition, it makes total sense. The spirit of God is within you. It is within everyone. When you “love” someone, in essence, you are acknowledging and appreciate that fact. When you say “I love you” you are in essence saying, “I see and appreciate the spirit of God in you.” This has really helped me with self-love. Throughout most of my life, I have struggled to love myself. I have learned to appreciate who I am, but when I think of myself as someone created in the image of God, and someone who is a temple of God’s spirit, I am practicing the healthiest form of self-love!

Since I’ve began seeing love in this way, I notice an interesting thing that happens. The level of love in my life increases! That’s because when you focus on something mentally, you see more of it in the physical world. When I see myself and others as the loving energy of God, I experience more of it. This type of focus also enables you to have greater impacts on those around you. One reason for that is that you are increasing the “love energy” in your world. The Bible says God is love. And God is the limitless energy in and around everyone. When you see others as shining lights of God’s love, you impact that energy in a positive way, and that positive energy spreads further and further. Watch how simple this is…. you can impact countless people (and yourself since you are part of this great energy too) simply by controlling your thoughts and focusing on the spirit of God that lives in everyone and seeing them as being created in His image. That’s it! Now, I know there are actions we need to take to demonstrate love. However, when you are in this state of mind, the ideas for those actions seem to come automatically. Then people are really impacted by your attitude of love.

You may think I’m getting a bit technical here, but I believe it is very simple. For me, when I define love as seeing God in myself and others, the positive energy in and around me dramatically increases. Not only does it add to my joy, but it adds love, joy, peace, and all other positive emotions to those around me. The same is true for you. I challenge you to see others as the love of God and as beings in His image. I am confident that your attitude about them will be more positive, and it will come back at you in a major positive way as well. I believe that’s a life we can all love. Happy Valentines Day!

A True Definition of Self-Love

The concept of loving oneself is a difficult one for many to follow. People are afraid they are being arrogant if they love themselves, or they see so many imperfections that they find it impossible. I believe every person has felt this way at some point. Unfortunately many still feel this way today.

Besides the Biblical definitions of love, the best I’ve seen is from Eckhart Tolle in his book “The Power of Now”. In the book, he simply defines love as seeing God in everyone and everything. I have never found a more simple definition of the word. God’s spirit is within us all. So when you love yourself, you are simply seeing or acknowledging God’s presence in you. When you love someone else, you are seeing and acknowledging His presence in them. Even if you love a thing, like pizza for example, God is responsible for that too!

We are all imperfect people. Yet Luke 17:21 in the Amplified version says the Kingdom of God is within you and surrounding you. It’s there whether you see it or not. However, if you do see, feel, and acknowledge it in you, you are loving yourself!

The Bible also says to love your neighbor as yourself. That’s another thing people often have a hard time doing. However, when you see love this way, it is easy. If God is in and around you, he is also in and around your neighbor. When you acknowledge this and see God’s presence in other people (the same presence that is in you), it is much easier to see beyond their imperfections and indeed love them.

Please know it is not selfish to love yourself. In fact, it is selfish if you don’t. The more you see and experience God’s presence in yourself, the more you will see it in others, and the easier it will be to love them. I challenge you to see God’s love, peace, and power in you today. That is true love. And remember, when you seek Him first, all other good things follow. Because of God’s presence in you, you are beautiful, amazing, and any other good thing you can think of. Don’t you love it?

An Alternate Definition of Love…And How to Demonstrate It

I was reminded in church today (as I am many times I read the Bible) the importance of loving God with my whole heart, mind, and soul, and loving my neighbor as myself. OK, raise your hand if you consider yourself excellent and totally proficient at demonstrating this kind of love. If you honestly raised your hand, then please know I have a great admiration for you.

I am betting that most of you did not raise your hand. My hand is definitely not up. Speaking for myself, I honestly love people and do my best to demonstrate love. However, I often get caught up in my own world and my own goals and desires. Many times I don’t demonstrate the love to myself and others like I should. My motives and intentions towards others are generally good, but I’d be lying if I said it was like that on an all the time basis.

You are probably familiar with the Love chapter in 1 Corinthians 13. It provides an excellent list of what love really is. However, I recently discovered an alternate definition that really caught my attention. I read it in Eckhart Tolle’s book, “The Power of Now”. It struck me because it is not only powerful, but very easy to do. If you are one who is looking to be more loving to yourself and enhance your relationship with others, I recommend this advice to you.

I am made more aware every day that God is a part of everyone. He lives inside of me and you. According to what I read, love is simply appreciating the part of God in everyone. It makes sense. When you love yourself (as you are supposed to) you are simply loving the best part of you, which is God who lives in you. In order to love others, you simply need to appreciate the God part of them. Since God is part of all of us, we are all connected. When you appreciate the God part of someone else, you are in essence appreciating the God part of you since it’s all the same. Hence, you are loving others as you love yourself.

When you wholeheartedly appreciate the Godly spirit in another person you are demonstrating love. Yes, we do other things to demonstrate love, such as service, acts of kindness, gifts, etc. Those are actions we take to show love. However, the key is to focus on the Godly aspects of that person. I understand that every person has flaws (this author has many). It’s amazing how, when we focus on the Godly aspects, we avoid focusing on those flaws.

It is amazing how powerful this is. I notice that when I focus on the God part of myself and everyone else, I feel a great peace, and my relationships with other people flow positively and naturally. I believe you will experience this as well if you simply focus on the Godly part of yourself and those around you. You will “love” what happens. Enjoy the blessings 🙂

How Self-Love Increases “Others” Love

I read a very interesting point today that I wanted to share with you today. I’ve shared similar information before, but this is the most simple way I’ve seen this concept explained.

The quote is taken from Anita Moorjani in her book “Dying to Be Me”. She talks about how loving yourself actually helps increase your love for others. Here’s a great explanation why… “because of our connectedness, if I love myself then I automatically love you”.

I love what this is saying and how simple it is. We are all infused with Godly energy. The spirit of God is within us all, thus connecting us all on a spiritual level. When I am loving myself, I am enhancing that connection on the whole level. Since you and I are connected with that same spirit, I am not only increasing my love for myself, but also for you at the same time.

This is further proof that we don’t have to go out of our way to love others. Yes, we can demonstrate that love by serving other people and showing our appreciation for them. However, if you really want to be love towards others, it starts with you..as in fully loving and appreciating who YOU are. For me, it makes this love concept much easier. I hope it does for you too. Enjoy the blessings 🙂

3 Words to Promote Self-Love

Today I would like to discuss the often misunderstood topic of self-love. It can often bring up negative emotions on both sides. For example, people can think of those who love themselves too much, or other people (especially themselves) who don’t love themselves enough.

I will start by saying this. Self-love is entirely healthy. I will add that it is entirely essential. I was recently reminded of one of the funniest movies I’ve ever seen. It’s called “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles”. If you’re unfamiliar, the basic plot is that Steve Martin plays a snobby, upper class marketing associate He experiences some difficulty and delays in his travels to return home from a business trip in time for Thanksgiving. Throughout his travels, he encounters John Candy, a loveable, friendly, but overbearing slob who just won’t seem to go away.

There is a scene in the movie where Steve Martin has had enough of the delays and the person he is stuck with. He verbally lashes and insults John Candy. Instead of lashing back, Candy, though hurt by the insults, says something like this…you may not like being stuck with me and you may think you’re above me. But you know what? I like me. My wife likes me. My customers like me.

Those words always stood out, as many times as I’ve seen this movie, and now years later. According to society, this individual may not be the desirable,wealthy high class person and standard so many of us are held to. However, he has something many people don’t. An honest comfort with being himself and loving the person that he is. He knows he’s not perfect. He knows he doesn’t have a lot. In fact, as the movie goes on we find out he has even less than he leads us to believe. However, he appreciates the person that he is, and he appreciates other people.

I challenge you my cherished reader to follow this lead, especially if you’ve been doubting yourself lately. You already know you’re not perfect. But do you know you are created by a perfect God who is very proud of His wonderful creation? I seriously challenge you to think about all of the positives about you today, and all the reasons you are lovable and valuable to others. I am sure you don’t have to think very much to think of at least a few high qualities you have to offer.

I also challenge you to reflect on the unlimited and unconditional love God has for you. No matter how imperfect you are and no matter how many mistakes you’ve made, you are loved beyond comprehension by your Creator. Cherish that and live with this assurance.

Here’s the best part. When you love and appreciate yourself to the fullest, it overflows to others. It is so much easier to love and positively impact others when your own love bucket is overflowing. I challenge you to love and appreciate yourself. Affirm throughout the day…”I like me”. In fact, step it up a notch and say, “I love me”. I find that when I affirm this, my mind provides reasons for me to naturally (not arrogantly) love myself. When I focus on these qualities, it increases my positive attitude and outlook, personal magnetism, and ability to make great impacts on those around me. I am convinced that it will do the same for you. Go ahead, it’s OK. Love yourself to the fullest and make a difference. Enjoy the blessings 🙂

I Want To Be Like My Dog

I am very happy that God made me a human being. We have many more powers and are more taken care of than any other creature on this earth. I wouldn’t want to be anything else.

You may ask…why am I saying I want to be like my dog? There’s one characteristic my dog and most others have that many humans have difficulty accomplishing. That trait…unconditional love. When I come home from work or from being out for a while, my dog comes running to the door with a warm, enthusiastic greeting. It doesn’t matter if she’s tired. It doesn’t matter if she had a rough day. It doesn’t matter if I scolded here the day before, or did not provide a great deal of attention. Regardless, the dog comes running and shows me all the love she can.

I challenge myself and anyone reading to demonstrate the same unconditional love as dogs do. Whether it’s been a rough day, or you’re in a bad mood, or the bank account is low, or someone criticized you, or whatever is bringing you down. Do all you can to love others unconditionally, and with the same sincerity and enthusiasm as a dog that’s happy to see you.

When you demonstrate this type of love, two great things happen. One is that you are more at peace with yourself. After all, we are created to love, and we are commanded by God to do so. The second thing is that when you demonstrate sincere, unconditional love to others, it comes back to you multiplied. It’s no wonder people love dogs so much. You will be loved and adored as well.

Who can you love unconditionally today? Find as many people as you can, and show the same love and enthusiasm towards those people as you can. You and they will be blessed in a major way. I ask that you now excuse me. I need to go pet my dog. Have a wonderful day : )

How To Receive The Love You Are Seeking

“To acquire love…fill yourself up with it until you become a magnet.” – Charles Haanel.

We all want to be and feel loved. It is the thing we humans crave after the most on this earth. Some of us have been lucky enough to experience a great deal of love from those around us, while others may not feel very loved.

It is difficult to control the attitudes of people around us, but if you want to experience love, the key is in the above quote. I believe there are two main ways to accomplish this. One is to do what the quote says and fill yourself up with love. Consciously bring to mind the great love of God and as much evidence of that love as possible. The second thing is to be that love. As much as you can, demonstrate the love of God to others around you by giving and serving in a loving way.

It’s amazing how what we give away comes back to us in abundance.  When we give thanks, we are given more reasons to be thankful. When we give money, it comes back in multiple amounts. And when we give love, it’s amazing how it comes back to us from all kinds of different sources.

We don’t give love with the sole purpose of getting back. When you give out the kindness of your heart, you feel an unbelievable joy that makes you want to give again and again. After a while, it won’t even matter what you get back, though I can guarantee it will be an abundance. I challenge you today to be the love you seek, and to give it away as much as possible. You will be truly blessed : )

A Great Way To Increase Your Positive Energy

I have always admired people who have a constant, positive energy about them. It is contageous, and you can often feel their positive energy without them saying a word. This is the type of person I desire to be. When I am at my best, I exhude this quality. The challenge is for it to be an everyday, all the time thing.

I also continue to read how, the higher our positive energy level is, the more we open ourselves up for high level opportunities and blessings in our lives. When we are at this high energy level we become that magnetic person that lights up a room with our presence, and that people instantly know they can count on for positive energy and results, If only there was a consistent way to maintain this high, positive energy.

I received an e-mail from Dr. Robert Anthony today. It talked about this subject of maintaining positive energy. His idea was so powerful that I felt the need to share. His suggestion is this…the best way to maintain and increase our positive energy is to go out of our way to increase the positive energy of others. The more we do this, the more we keep our positive energy high and experience those desired blessings.

In his message, Dr. Anthony gives some simple suggestions. Besides doing acts of service lovingly, he says we can do this without even saying a word. I love this next suggestion, even though many would never even think of it. He says to project postive, loving thoughts to every person we come in contact with, whether we know the person or not. Simple things he suggests are a smile, or a silent saying of “I hope your day goes great”, or “God loves you”, or anything like that. If you do this in a sincere loving way, and invite God to get in the middle of it, great things happen. The other person will be blessed (even though you may not see or realize it), and it works to maintain and increase your own energy level as a result of the love that you are sending.

I believe this is a great way to, not only increase your own positive energy level, but to positively impact your entire environment. That is a constant goal of  mine, and if such a simple step can be used to do that, I am all for doing it. I’ve already seen how this works in my life. As mentioned, it is when I most love myself and those around me that I most feel the positive energy and receive the most blessings in my life. These are the times where I can just walk into a room and know that the positive energy is there with me and all of those around me.

Don’t let the simplicity of this idea prevent you from doing it. If you do it regularly and sincerely, you will be blessed beyond belief. Have an awesome, positive energy day!

God Does Not Hold Back

I will start this article with one of the most famous Bible verses in the entire Book…For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

I share about a message I’ve heard in several places lately. Do you think God is trying to tell me something? The messsage is this…if God would not hold back from giving His only son for us, why would He hold back anything else? I’ve reflected on this a great deal in the past few days. God loves us so much that it goes far above anything we can imagine. The more we focus on this love the more empowered we are.

I ask the question again…If God did not hold back His only son from us why would He hold anything else back? I’ll add this too. Matthew 7:7 says ask and you shall receive. So why are so many not asking?

I believe it’s time to take Him at His word. God has more great things in store for us than we can even ask or imagine. Ask for blessings according to His will for your life and then expect them. Consciously remain aware of His love and share it with others. It’s a simple equation. When we pray, believe, dwell on His love for us, and share it with others, we live a successful life full of blessings. God will not hold back!!

Seeking the Best In Ourselves and Others

Why is it that so many people tend to see the negative in themselves and other people? I would consider myself a positive person. However, I too notice that sometimes I tend to focus a bit much on the faults of myself and those closest to me.

It is true that we all have our faults, so they are quite easy to find. However, I believe we also need to remember that we are gems created by God. So the next time you look around at God’s beautiful creations, please consider yourself as one of them.

I want nothing more to make positive impacts during my time on earth. Here are a couple of suggestions I recently read:

• Love ourselves – This is a dangerous one for me. I am already a bit too self-centered for my liking, and this can be taken as encouraging that behavior. However, I believe that is not what is being offered. An old book by Josh McDowell says we should see ourselves as God sees us. Nothing more, nothing less. We are unique creations of the creator of the universe. That in itself is enough to be grateful for. Here’s the key…if we can love ourselves in a healthy, Godly way, it will not only make our own lives better, but it will also overflow into the lives of others. Joy is contagious, and what better way to share with others by just being happy ourselves.
• See the positive in others – As mentioned, it’s easy to see faults. The problem is that if that’s what we look for, that’s what we’ll see and get. Everyone has something positive about them. Why not focus on the positive in all individuals we deal with? We are much more likely to bring it out in them if we do.
• Show Appreciation – Why is it that the words “thank you” are not heard half as much as they should be? I’ve heard so many stories about how a simple word of appreciation completely changed individuals and situations for the good. Words of appreciation can positively impact any individual of any age.

So the challenge for myself and anyone else who wants to join with me is to see the good in ourselves. Yes, we all have faults, but we have so many positives to offer. Let us focus on those positives and then watch as our worlds change for the better each day. I can’t wait to see and hear about the results.