Love is not a contest of "how good you are" either.

Love is already all around, it is something you carry with you and that you can find everywhere you go, no matter how bad things may seem to be. You can always find love when you let go of things you think you need to have, whether they are romantic relationships, your favorite food or drink, attention from other people, etc...

I find unconditional love for example from my beagle at home for example. I got this dog after things didn't work out with my last relationship and I suddenly found something in my life that I could love and cherish that would love and cherish me the same way, laugh about how silly she is, walk with to all the corners of the woods around my house... I share this joy towards my dog with my whole family.

I also find unconditional love when I lose my notion of self, which is particularly easy if you walk around in nature, or in a crowded place (yes they sound like opposites) and have the luxury to get to listen to all the diversity of sound being made without any thought whatsoever. In nature, it is by the birds, the wind rustling the branches of trees and bushes, the leafs fluttering in the air, and there are treats every now and then to be found such as edible berries. There is always fresh air to be found here and it is a very serene environment. We learn that we do not need to fear solitude when we are amongst such fine trees, plants and animals surrounding us, and a beautiful sky, regardless of whether it's cloudy or clear, above us.

By contrast, when we are in a subway station full of people, you can stop to listen all the sounds of people's footsteps, as though they were part of a great orchestra, each musician paying his part. The same goes for the brushing sounds of their coats, the escalators, the voice you can hear in your own head even! Every sound in that you are experiencing in the moment as you make your way through the station is part of a great orchestra, it is quite musical actually and there is much to appreciate and love. It takes no effort, it is relaxing and requires no special favour from anyone because everyone is acting out of their own accord, just as in nature! It is their loss if they are not in appreciation of what they are creating

I am at a point in my life where I find love for everything around me, all topics of discussion, all sounds and sights, ideas and feelings. I embrace even the pains of when things go wrong because they are necessary to truly savour all the good things the be found constantly surrounding us, clothing us, feeding us, protecting our health, giving us rest and activity. I am simply filled with love and admiration for these things, something that has been right in front of me and all around me all my life, even though I've gone through periods of depression or confusion when I could not even see it.

Modified by Jeff at Thu, Oct 30, 2008, 05:43:47