What struck me most is the idea that love is fundamentally a form of attention.
In an age where distraction is abundant and presence is scarce, giving someone your full attention may be one of the most meaningful acts of love available to us.
The Stoic connection is deeper than many realise. Not detachment from people, but gratitude for them. Loving fully while knowing none of it is guaranteed.
This made wonder, if more of us actively practiced an attitude of gratitude for the people we encounter in our lives - would there be more love surrounding us all because of these grateful words and actions? Does the act of loving begin with feeling grateful?
I suspect gratitude changes the quality of our attention.
When we stop treating people as permanent fixtures in our lives and recognise they are only entrusted to us for a time, we tend to notice them differently.
The Stoics practised this intentionally. Not to create anxiety, but to deepen appreciation.
Perhaps love doesn't begin with gratitude so much as gratitude reveals the love that was already there.
I have long said that at the end of the day, when everything boils down to almost nothing, all we're truly left with is love. That's the one true survivor of everything, and the only thing any of us has left at the end of it all. But sometimes I forget. Thank you for the reminder.
A beautiful reminder to be thankful every day for each of the good things in life. A friend of 60+ years died recently. His funeral is today. I’m sad to lose him but this post reminds me to be grateful for our long friendship and joyous for the good life he lived.
I appreciate the ground you cover here, much of it often overlooked, and vitally important to the buoyancy of our spirits, especially those of us who are unpartnered. Beautifully, thoughtfully done.
I’m just sitting with this right now, reflecting. I’m genuinely moved by what I just read and appreciate you for taking the time and effort for having produced it. Thank you.
And how does one deal with the loss of that love through betrayal and lies. I haven’t been able to get to a comfort zone about betrayal of love lost and that security of the softening gone.
I’ve been realizing more and more that learning to love myself, the world, and others is how we truly feel joyful and fulfilled- and the path to the most growth.
It’s a hard pill to swallow that I don’t know how to properly love.
I think this article potentially skims over the fact that love can often times be heavy too. Love also hurts, with closeness comes inevitable pain. It’s a hard decision to choose love over distance and feeling safe. I hope that I can choose correctly.
What struck me most is the idea that love is fundamentally a form of attention.
In an age where distraction is abundant and presence is scarce, giving someone your full attention may be one of the most meaningful acts of love available to us.
The Stoic connection is deeper than many realise. Not detachment from people, but gratitude for them. Loving fully while knowing none of it is guaranteed.
That's not a contradiction, as many may assert.
It's what makes the love matter.
This made wonder, if more of us actively practiced an attitude of gratitude for the people we encounter in our lives - would there be more love surrounding us all because of these grateful words and actions? Does the act of loving begin with feeling grateful?
I suspect gratitude changes the quality of our attention.
When we stop treating people as permanent fixtures in our lives and recognise they are only entrusted to us for a time, we tend to notice them differently.
The Stoics practised this intentionally. Not to create anxiety, but to deepen appreciation.
Perhaps love doesn't begin with gratitude so much as gratitude reveals the love that was already there.
Beautifully written. Brought a bit of peace and love to me, so i thank you for that. ❤️🙏
I have long said that at the end of the day, when everything boils down to almost nothing, all we're truly left with is love. That's the one true survivor of everything, and the only thing any of us has left at the end of it all. But sometimes I forget. Thank you for the reminder.
A beautiful reminder to be thankful every day for each of the good things in life. A friend of 60+ years died recently. His funeral is today. I’m sad to lose him but this post reminds me to be grateful for our long friendship and joyous for the good life he lived.
I appreciate the ground you cover here, much of it often overlooked, and vitally important to the buoyancy of our spirits, especially those of us who are unpartnered. Beautifully, thoughtfully done.
Love this…. Thanks for the gentle reminder… ❤️🙏🏽
This was refreshing to read, in a world where there is a lot of other noises.
thank you for sharing.
Every word resonates. Thank you.
Beautifully put together…covered so many gestures small and big which we need to consider when we say we lOVE. ♥️
I wish I had written this piece. It’s absolutely beautiful and relatable 💓
I just found your writings recently and have really enjoyed every read. Thank you for the time you take to share with others.
I’m just sitting with this right now, reflecting. I’m genuinely moved by what I just read and appreciate you for taking the time and effort for having produced it. Thank you.
The older I get, the less I think life is about happiness.
And the more I think it is about having people who would notice if you weren’t there.
And how does one deal with the loss of that love through betrayal and lies. I haven’t been able to get to a comfort zone about betrayal of love lost and that security of the softening gone.
I like this article a lot.
I’ve been realizing more and more that learning to love myself, the world, and others is how we truly feel joyful and fulfilled- and the path to the most growth.
It’s a hard pill to swallow that I don’t know how to properly love.
I think this article potentially skims over the fact that love can often times be heavy too. Love also hurts, with closeness comes inevitable pain. It’s a hard decision to choose love over distance and feeling safe. I hope that I can choose correctly.
Thanks, a good message to remember, Doctor Lynn