The word love is misused and overused.
We say we love Chipolte. We love that one chapstick. We love those stores. But we also love our family. How do we love everything? Truth is, we use the word love so often that when it is real, we are unsure of it.
What is love and what is love? I think we’ve all had our fair share of selfish love; but have we all experienced unconditional love?
Selfish love is taking more than you give. Selfish love is leaving that person with tear-filled eyes. Selfish love is exuding hate, but calling it love.
Selfish love can come from anyone; a partner, a parent, a best friend. Selfish love is not limited to those labeled as “bad people”. You might find that those “bad people” actually show the most love. Selfish love isn’t just shown in dramatic ways.
Selfish love can take its time. It can be slowly reeling someone in and but taking advantage of them. It can taking time out of the day to make that person feel bad for something they in fact, didn’t do. It can be so easily disguised as unconditional love, that we don’t know the difference between love and love until it shows its face.
I think until you experience unconditional love outside of family, you will never know whether that love is real. I can proudly say that my family wholeheartedly loves me. My parents would do and have done absolutely anything for my wellbeing. Without them, I wouldn’t be here today to write about just how amazing their love is.
I expect that same kind of love out of my person; and I think I’ve found that.
I have found someone who has actually listened to my words. I have found someone who isn’t afraid to show their true self to me. I have found someone who would go to extreme lengths just to keep me here.
This kind of love isn’t so easily found. It’s not a road trip you take. It’s not a dating game. It’s timing. It’s truth. It’s confidence. It’s loyalty. I always hear, “if you want to make it work, you will”. To some degree that is true. If you are willing to stick in a relationship that is unhealthy, sure, you’ll make that work. You can also make remaining mentally happy and waiting for that unconditional love, work.
Yes, unconditional love can be found in others. However, most of the time forget about ourselves. Why can’t I love myself unconditionally? I look in the mirror and often times think nasty things about what is staring back at me. It’s in those moments that I’m displaying selfish love to myself; the very being that carries those extra burdens. The same person who is much stronger than she thinks, is showing herself the true meaning of selfish love.
In the Bible, Paul writes that love is patient and kind. Love is patient and kind. Be patient with yourself- you are not done becoming the person you were meant to be. Be kind to yourself in the process, because it is a process.
Love yourself unconditionally, without boundaries. After all, you are stuck with you far longer than anyone else is.
Unconditional love is knowing someone is broken and loving them anyways. Unconditional love is seeing someone break down and loving them anyways. Unconditional love is loving someone while they’re laughing. Unconditional love is watching them fail and loving them anyways. Unconditional love is being there at all their highs and lows and loving them anyways.
Unconditional love is my family. Unconditional love is my best friends. Unconditional love is my Zach. Unconditional love is myself.
Love with no boundaries.
Me + life 