This month, I am considering the kind promise “I will love without keeping score.”
When I love, I am wishing for the other that they grow and blossom into their own brilliance. I wish the same for myself.
Imagine a world where we nurtured ourselves and each other. We would spend time doing what makes our hearts sing, developing our natural talents and supporting each other through the tough stuff. When we ran into conflict, we could communicate our emotions and desires and negotiate the best possible outcome. John Lennon sang “you may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us and the world will live as one.”
Love is, in itself, immeasurable. I forget that sometimes. I get muddled and distressed. “Do I love him as much as I should? Is it really okay to sign this email with ‘love you’ or is that too much?” These days, people use emojis. “If that person used four hearts,” I think, ” I’d better use at least four when I answer them back.” It’s silly, but it’s human.
This promise reminds me that, as James Taylor sings, “love is the only road,” and that road is a wide one.
In your journal:
- How would you define or describe love?
- What are your favorite love lyrics and why?
- Do you ever keep score? What happens next?