All you need is love

Love is the key to all doors.

Hilarion

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When something isn’t working out as we might wish or plan, we usually think we can improve things simply by putting in more effort. When we have an issue with someone else, we often believe the problem will be resolved by one or both of us trying harder. When we’re dissatisfied, we seem to believe that work and effort—on someone’s part—will result in more happiness.

Our dissatisfaction arises from our judgment that something is wrong or is not as it should be. Frequently we will try a wide variety of tactics to improve what we perceive as broken or lacking. Or we may repeat the same actions over and over, hoping eventually they’ll have the desired result.

Struggle seems to be the only way to bridge the gap between what we want and what is. It often doesn’t occur to us that things are exactly as they should be. Acceptance isn’t our first choice. Living with people and things as they are usually is our last-resort option. It frequently happens when struggle has exhausted us.

When we resign ourselves to circumstances, we have accepted what is, but may not like it. This is the beginning of acceptance. We’re not happy with what is, but we’re tired of trying to change it. With time, if we’re honest with ourselves, we recognize there are positive aspects to the situation. We grow to appreciate what is and eventually even may find enjoyment in what previously seemed intolerable.

At the heart of this process is gratitude—an appreciation of life as it is. We are thankful for the good that can be found in any scenario. The power of gratitude lies in its innate ability to change our perceptions. Gratitude is an expression of love—for ourselves, for our experience, for all of creation. When we are thankful for someone or something, we direct conscious love at that person or thing.

Love creates a magical alchemy in the way we experience situations. When our hearts are open and full of love, we feel good. We are happy and we enjoy ourselves. Because we’re having fun, we don’t feel the need to change the situation. After all, we’re enjoying ourselves. What’s not to like?

When we’re having fun and feeling full of love, we don’t trip over our own expectations. We don’t create limits for ourselves by defining the way things should be. We are open to more possibilities and will easily attract more of the things we appreciate. Love and gratitude will get us more—more fun, more freedom, more opportunities, and more satisfaction.

Love is the solution to any problem. When we have an issue with someone, we can love them and trust that our common divinity will help us find resolution. If we are unhappy with a situation, we can love ourselves and the scenario, while holding the belief that all experience is a gift which is only for our benefit. Love will give us strength, patience, and peace of mind. Love will free us from fear. Love is an acknowledgment of the shared divinity in all existence.

Let’s take a few minutes to connect consciously with our inner divinity—our sharing within—to explore how love can help us feel freer. We will start by relaxing our breath and allowing it to become slow and easy. We will picture our sharing within as a globe of golden light in the center of our chest. As we inhale the light strengthens and becomes brighter; as we exhale the light spills out through and around us. We will continue the light visualization and rhythmic breathing until we sense conscious connection with our sharing within. We will feel peaceful, centered, and at ease.

Now we’ll think of an individual with whom we’re in conflict. We’ll ask our sharing within to show us an aspect of her or him which we can love. Perhaps that individual has great musical talent. We will focus on that positive trait and feel as much appreciation as possible. We will recognize how much we love that part of the person. We will acknowledge how much joy his or her musical ability brings us.

We will visualize our love and appreciation flowing out from the center of our chest in waves of golden light, surrounding and permeating every part of that person. We will allow our love and gratitude to extend to every part of her or his being. No part will be excluded. Just as the sharing accepts and loves us just as we are, we will love that individual completely and without reservation. We will note how good it feels to love him or her without judgment and without struggle. In the face of our shared divine love, the conflict between us no longer seems important or relevant. Love has unlocked our ability to see that person as the sharing does—whole, complete, and divine.

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Divinely unique and beautiful reader, what door are you willing to unlock with love? Please share…