How to reach for love like you could find it in a supermarket.
It seems to me like we are constantly waiting for the next holiday to happen. Then in between holidays and special days, we are torn betwixt the merchandise and the actual meaning of the said holiday. Love and the celebration of it is a tricky one. Yes, you had seen love quotes and heart-shaped merchandise since January 1st. But what does it mean for you?
When I was trying to find solutions to manage my anxiety, I started to analyze this concept a lot. I read about what authors of spirituality say about the subject, I wrote down movie quotes and meditated a lot trying to find more meaning behind the feeling or state of love. It really helped me, and one of the declarations (and a chapter of my book) is: May Your Love and Compassion be Stronger Than Your Fears.
In my book, I talk a lot about what I found out during that exploration. As humans, we tend to learn through opposites, and that is why I started exploring the concept beginning with my fears. I realized that as a mom love has so many layers and that it is through it that we can really heal. This is an excerpt of what I wrote and sums it up:
“What you need to understand is that you need to choose how to act on fear. You can remain frozen by it or you can let love inspire you and turn it into proactive fuel. When we have a problem, face an awkward situation, try to make an important decision, or when we think of losing our health, our loved ones, our money, our jobs, we need to be guided by love and not by fear. The compass is there; you are the only one that can choose which direction to take. Fear won’t lead you to a solution or a positive change or thought. Love does, always.”
A couple of years have passed since I wrote this, and I am realizing that the meaning of love keeps expanding for me. In meditation this morning, I received a message that I feel prompted to give to you.
If you ever feel lonely, wanting some answers, and you feel your need for love picture this. Imagine you enter a big supermarket. The love supermarket. Each of us has the right to enter it, and you can go in it whenever you want as many times you want. Know that in this supermarket the items are free and come in different ways and packages, so many that you have infinite access to love. Take a deep breath, and ask the Universe to guide you to the right items that will bring you back to love. It can lead you to a can filled with your kids’ laughter, an aisle where your find your passions and dreams in form of spices, the smell of fresh flowers that bring back the best memories with your spouse, a soup made from the comforting voice of a dear friend. You understand my point (I hope). Know that every single one of these items is made from love. And once you grab it you start feeling nurtured by it. You can receive love from others, love from yourself, love from the universe… just to name a few sources.
Also, know this; love appears with other many objectives. It can give you needed comfort, inspire you to the right solution or path, give you strength to face a challenge. So grab your love, enjoy it, consume it, and also share it. Not only in February. Remember it is unlimited.
Now tell me, which items you would like to grab in the Love Supermarket? I am curious to read your answers!
Paola is the author of The Lake of Miracles/El Lago de Los Milagros, Shorty Tales (Cuentitos), and The Anxious Mom Manifesto: 18 Lessons to Control your Anxiety Monster. Find her books HERE.
Follow Paola @paobsur
