Love is....

Love is the greatest gift we can ever hope to give or receive.  Love is the one thing that can overcome so many of the difficult times that we are faced with in life.  Love is so powerful - it can turn frowns into smiles.  It can help mend the most broken heart.  It can even turn all of the ugliness in the world into the most beautiful portrait we could ever have the pleasure to behold.

Such a monumental task - of course... it could be.  But only if we try to do it alone.  Instead, if each of us, in our own small way contributed just a little - together, the task can become the reality we're reaching for.

As potent as what love can be, it can only work it's magic if we choose to allow it to.  For that to come to pass we must let go of the other emotions that can get in love's way.  How is that - you may wonder?

Consider the thought that...

Anger - It's normal, but holding on to it indefinitely isn't really necessary.  Let it go...  Forgiveness is so much better for the soul than holding on to a grudge.  Not only will the person you're angry at be happier but so will you.

Harshness - Harsh words take just as much effort and energy as kind ones do.  Why not consider your choice of words before you speak them and choose gentler ones to get your point across.

Impatience - Aren't we all guilty of this at one time or another?  Keep reminding yourself of the old saying - "Patience is a virtue" - who wouldn't want to be a little more virtuous?  (Webster describes "virtuous" as being of moral quality or excellence)

Envy - We all know the saying here - "The grass is not always greener on the other side".  Take that to heart and concentrate on "fertilizing" and "watering" your own to get it just as "green" as your neighbors' "lawn".  You may wind up being the one envied instead.

Mistakes - We all make them!  So when someone else does, forgive them as you hope others would do for you.  Allow them to be "only human" and consider the fact that they didn't mean any harm by it.  Did you, when you made one?

Revenge - Someone always gets hurt by this one - and not always the one you expect to...  Why take that risk?

Expectations - Set them low enough that they are achievable - not so high that you fail to reach them.  No one wants to feel like a failure - neither you or the other person.  If you don't expect too much you will not be disappointed.

Perfection - We weren't born perfect, it's not something that can be learned, so why not accept the fact that it doesn't exist.  So many of us would breathe easier if this concept would just fade away.  I would, wouldn't you?

Instead of any of the above, consider these options.
Take the time to know each other's heart - when you do you will be more understanding and less apt to misunderstand another's intentions, which probably were never meant to hurt or upset you to begin with.

Smile more often - it may cause a few wrinkles, at the very least, but then so does frowning.  You choose what kind you'd rather have.  And as you ponder that choice, keep in mind that they can both be contagious.  Wouldn't you rather be greeted by smiles than frowns?

Love causes less stress, less heartache, less misunderstandings, less of just about everything negative.  Love does reap rewards - happiness, health, joy, peace, and so much more that's positive.  Isn't that what we want most for this world of ours?  Isn't this a much prettier picture?  Remember the portrait?  It's not impossible and we can all help to paint it.  We can at least try, right?  Think about it...