How To Love Others

Love is a feeling. Love is an attitude. Love is an action. Love is a choice.

Enlarge your understanding. Your definition of love may be too narrow. Love is more than a good feeling or romance.

You may say, "I love ice cream. I am in love with my companion. I love my family enough to labor every day to provide for them. I am compassionate toward hurting people, so I do my part to alleviate suffering and injustice in the world."

You do not need to agree with someone to act with consideration. You do not need to be attracted to someone to demonstrate a loving attitude.

Adjust the angle of your perspective. “It ain’t about you." Love motivates people to sacrifice for others, not expecting any personal benefit. Stop thinking selfishly. Look for the needs of others, and then do your part to meet their needs.

Locate the source of love. You may love something because it is a source of pleasure. You may feel devotion to someone because you enjoy his or her company. Sympathy and compassion are foundations of love toward those living in difficult circumstances. Empathy is a starting place for love, as you identify the value of other citizens of this planet. Love may start as an expression of personal gratitude for the blessings you have received and your desire to share those blessings. Faith and spiritual devotion are powerful sources of selfless love.

Express your love. Find words and actions of love that are appropriate. Learn to speak words of blessing rather than criticism. Share your resources with a needy person. Participate in your community of faith. Offer gifts and perform thoughtful deeds with no ulterior motivation.

Accept disappointment. Not everyone will return your love. This is not failure. It is not your goal to make the world love you, but for you to love the world.


Go forth and love others

Cheryl