Naturally, it being Valentine’s Day and all, love has been on my mind a lot lately. The way I love myself, the way I love others and the way others love me. I am at a point in my life where love is overflowing both out of me and to me, but that has not always been the case. Because I have experienced seasons of loneliness and feeling unloved, I can better appreciate this season of abundant love I am currently in.
I think we have a rather large tendency to complicate love. We think its this enormous, overwhelming, all consuming emotion. And, to be sure, it can be. There are times when I am moved to tears by the abundance of love I feel for others. But most of the time, it’s more of a steady glow. It’s a warmth to return to when the days aren’t what you wish they were. It’s steady and sure and comforting.
For me, love has to be fostered daily. I was recently asked a question about success, “Five to ten years from now, what would success look like to you? What would you have accomplished to make you feel successful?” To be honest, I wasn’t prepared for the question, so I answered from my heart. I said success is found in daily life. We have to win everyday. If we win the day, we will be successful. I didn’t realize I felt that way until the words were out of my mouth. For me, love is much the same.
Relationships are not defined by the large gestures, the big wins, or the passionate phases that they go through. Relationships are defined in the daily interactions. Loving your people has to happen daily. You cannot treat people poorly and then wiggle your way out with a big gesture. We have to take time, daily, to love our people well. Develop habits of loving one another. Kiss them goodbye in the mornings. Hold their hand and tell them that you are proud of them. Cook them breakfast. Pour their coffee. Whatever that looks like to you. Serve them well on a daily basis and love wins every time. Much love and successful relationships sweet friends.
