Brave Enough To Be Bliss

For example, “ love ya ” is something people say but it’s not really that meaningful. Yes, there’s caring there perhaps with the use of the word “ love, ” but it’s very casual , not even saying the word “you.” When someone says “ Love you, ” they’re putting themselves out there more with the use of two complete words, but it’s still not as vulnerable as fully stating “ I love you. ”

You may recall the commercial in the link below. I Love You, Man! Bud Light Commercial - 1995 (youtube.com)

In this video , the son actually says, “I love ya, man,” to his father but in two other commercials I watched, he says “you” not “ya,” so it doesn’t actually uphold my theory. I would assume that was intentional, as little in advertising isn’t intentional, so did their focus groups find it more comfortable to use the word “you” to strangers than one’s father? Or was using all three words in a meaningful relationship too serious for the joke that was to come about the Bud Light? Regardless, it might just be interesting to think about the specific phrases you choose to use, next time you say or write loving words to others. In years past, I would try to guess what would come across the best to the other person, or if it was in writing, I would match the phrase the other person typically used. So, if someone typically signed something, “ Love, ” then I would use “ Love, ” too. In recent years, I’ve begun to simply use “ I love you ” for anyone I love because to me, saying less is not being fully myself. Sure, it might make the other person a little uncomfortable if they aren’t used to people stating fully, “ I love you. ” I don’t mind causing discomfort for this reason because all humans have a need to be loved, and often times they haven’t gotten it or heard it said while growing up. But if I die today, I want all those I love to have zero doubt that I love them. Life is unpredictable. I can’t control how someone else will receive the words, but I will not withhold my love for anyone anymore because of fear. I don’t expect anyone to say anything or feel anything toward me, I simply want to give my love because that’s what is in my heart. And if over time, it can also help others feel less uncomfortable with the use of the really big four-letter word, then I would be thrilled. But if not, that’s OK, too. I just will not hide my feelings for other people because I don’t think there’s anything more important in life than to share our love. I don’t want to die wishing I had given more love; I want to die feeling that I gave absolutely all I had to give. Another factor that complicates the use of the word love is the fact that there are various types of love, but the English language doesn’t provide different words to help differentiate one type of love from another. The following link provides one take on the various types of love. That is why I believe i t’ s so hard for humans to give agape love: because we listen to our brains, which leads us to avoid pain. But when the choice is made to give agape love , it comes from a place so deep inside that it’s like it bypasses the brain or the brain is so stunned by the concept it is overwhelmed and cannot even stop it. Agape love isn’t a feeling that wax es and wanes based on behavior. There are no exceptions. Agape love is not conditional on anything. It is a choice to continue to give agape love regardless of anything. When it is agape, it simply is. There is nothing that can be done to change it. It is loving the human being even when we don’t like or perhaps even detest the behavior. Love has been one thing I can reflect on and say, as a human being, I did that well. Not perfectly, but well. Relationships, certainly not, but love, yes. I do believe the people in my life have felt my love even when the relationship has had to end. If I died today, I think love would be the overarching theme of my funeral, or at least that is my hope anyway. To me, there is no greater gift: it blesses the giver and receiver, and it’s available in unlimited quantities with no monetary implications. What Does Agape Love Really Mean in the Bible? - Bible Study (crosswalk.com) I describe agape love this way, “ To choose to give agape love is to understand and accept that the receiver ’ s behavior could potentially lead to one ’ s own pain, and yet to give it anyway, expecting nothing in return. ”

With Kylee I knew I had no experience being a mom, so I didn’t even know what all to be scared about. I also automatically gave myself a little more grace and compassion because I knew I had no previous experience. She

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