Today's Reflection

I will love you no matter what. I will love you if you are stupid, if you slip and fall on your face, if you do the wrong thing, if you make mistakes, if you behave like a human being - I will love you no matter.
--Leo Buscaglia

Wouldn't it be nice if there were just one person in our lives who loved us no matter what our faults? And wouldn't it be equally nice if we, too, could love just one person in the same way?

Love is not an easy emotion for us to feel. In the past we may have associated feelings of love with negative feelings such as pain, hurt, rejection, or disappointment. But we can put the negative feelings aside and learn how to feel love as a positive emotion.

Love does not necessarily mean sexual attraction or commitment. Love can simply be seeing someone for who he or she is, whether that person is a friend, coworker, boss, family member, or lover. To show love, we can keep our actions simple - by making a phone call, writing a letter, or sharing a hug. Let's show someone we care.

Laureen....I have lots of love in my life. I give lots of love in return. Yet, I have never felt so alone!!!!

Hugs....connie d

Connie, you are not alone, God is right there by your side my friend.
PM me if you need to talk.
Keep giving your love and hugs out my friend. You are one special lady. Hugs Debbie

Thank you Debbie....you are such a dear, dear friend!!

Love and many hugs.....connie d

Connie,

I am sorry for you feeling that way and am all too familiar with those feelings.  What I can say to you is very simply, our feelings are not always based in fact, so hang in there, while it may not be the same, we love you here and I know your grandchildren love you and try to focus on those that do, instead of what is not in your life today or what has you feeling so alone. . .

Hugs, Laureen

To love someone unconditionally, only a few people in life I could say this about.
I remember my family physician telling me each time I went to see him...his parting comment to me was to love myself. He was a pretty smart GP!

Not having children of my own (when I wanted them so bad it hurt and my ex hubby did not want children, he lied to me when we had to do mandatory marriage encounters through the Catholic church...later on the Priest told me he could get an annulment with the Cath. Church without a problem but later on I left the Cath. Church and explored other churches...long term marriage ended after 27 years)...I love my grandchildren so much and my step daughters and their hubbies...I find it so wonderful to have a great family now. My husband gave me the family I always wanted, he's the best and we have a great marriage. 2nd time around...who knew...I finally found love!

When someone betrays me, I watch my ankles...I can forgive them but I can't forget. I learn that some people just can't be trusted.

I love hugs and they are free! Thanks Laureen for the excellent post! Keep them coming! Debbie

Debbie,

Thanks for sharing about your experiences, one of the upsides of this reflection post is that periodically people share their innermost thoughts and experiences and that is the purpose of them to make people think of new ways to look at things, based on what has happened in the past and how we can do things differently if we simply change our thought processes, which in turn change our actions. . .  not easy, especially for those of us with ingrained behaviors and attitudes, but the theory behind 12 Step recovery is about change and change does not occur overnight, but has to be cultivated.

My experience with unconditional love was when my children were small and later in life through Dillinger and now Roxie, as young children and animals are the greatest teachers of such things.  Through working the 12 Steps and 12 Traditions, I've learned how to love better, as love to me today is not about getting, but giving, about being true to who I am as a person and wanting the best for those I love, even if it goes against my principals and nature.  My experience with Tony has proved to be wonderful, he came into my life unexpectedly and he is a keeper, he has stood by me through many events over the past 3 years and I am grateful to have him in my life, no matter where it leads, I will always feel like I have known and experienced true love. 

As for betrayal, with something going on in my life right now, I am trying hard to practice forgiveness, but am not yet there, in part because it is something still going on and I have reached the end of my proveribal rope, but what I have recently realized is that real forgiveness is freedom to live in the present and accept what is, instead of what I would like things to be and sometimes it is hard to do.

Thanks for the dialogue. . .

I feel so blessed.  My husband and I have been married for almost 30 years (our next anniversary is in May).  I love him no matter what and he loves me the same way!  I'm not bragging.  His love has always been like a miracle to me.  I grew up a lonely, only child.  All my friends married before me.  I thought I was destined to be alone forever.  But God has a plan for each of us.  When I met my husband, it was like a lightening bolt!  And girls, he still makes me sizzle! 

I don't think it is bragging to share the fact that you are happily in love after being with someone for almost 30 years!!!  and it's even better that he still makes you sizzle. . .

Here I am a day late and a dollar short...

GOOD post Laureen!!!

When I met Rick online it was like a magnet....had to be there night after night to talk with him...this guy gave me my self esteem back. Taught me how to love again. Made me see things so differently than how I was back then. I am sure God had a plan for me even back then. Yes some people told me off about seeing him when I was still married, but I did what I had to do. And I am GLAD I did it!!! Do I have any regrets? NO!!!! I never knew love like this!!! I am treated like a princess as Connie says. I love Rick with all my heart and soul!!! He loves me with all my faults and has changed me into a better person ever since he first contacted me through an IM in a NASCAR chat room!!!

Thanks again for this post Laureen!

HUGS