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January 31

"Love never fails."
   The conclusion of Paul's letter to the Corinthians is an apt ending, yet it's likely many of us would disagree with this statement.
   I have seen love fail all around me, if not first hand in my own life. I've been used, abused, rejected, dumped - and hurt countless ways by those I thought loved me. Although I've seen some examples where it has succeeded, the times it has failed - sometimes miserably so - seem to far outweigh its successes.
   If I look closely however, maybe it's not love failing; maybe what I've been calling love has been just a good imitation. In doing things for what I thought was love, I've often treated myself in unloving ways. I've given up my right to be myself; trusted others totally when they weren't worthy of it; accepted hidden conditions in return for signs of love; and likely much more.
   Genuine love always enhances me and others. It always celebrates who I am, and who others are. If I remember this, maybe then I can see why real love doesn't fail - it always supports our specialness, with acceptance and kindness.

Just for Today
   Today, I'll remind myself that it's very natural and human to make mistakes in my search for love. I'll look more carefully at where my perception of love has been failing me, and begin searching for a truer understanding of love, and all the wonderful mysteries it has in store for me.

The beginning of love is to let those we love be perfectly themselves, and not twist them to fit our own image.
- Al-Anon

@Copyright Bernd Hansen - Contents may be downloaded or copied for personal non-commercial use.