How Does Love Show Up in Your Life?

I love this week. It’s Valentine’s Day Week!  

We can easily get a commercialized version of love but today, I wanted to talk about you. How does love show up in your life? Where do you see it? How do you experience it? How do you give love?

Last week, on an ordinary weekday, I saw love in action. Before, during and after Mass, I saw six different people holding the children of others. 

It was beautiful. 

My fellow parishioners saw a need and easily grabbed a child. As I watched the women (and one man) hold, sway and coo a child that was not their own, I was blessed. 

And that got me thinking. We are bombarded by messages from our culture about What Love Is. I mean, on DECEMBER 26th my friendly, neighborhood Wal-Mart switched out their Christmas for Valentine's! There were aisles of red candy hearts and chocolates. In DECEMBER. 

Commercialized? Yep. Will I consume? Absolutely. I love this holiday and I will spoil my people with sugar on the 14th.  

But I don’t think TRUE, RADICAL, LIFE-GIVING LOVE is about chocolate in a foil heart, you know? 

I spent some time thinking about Love. Many stories/memories came to mind and I got all smushy inside. But I am just one person with one perspective. I’d love to hear YOUR LOVE STORIES. 
And, if it’s okay with you, I will take all of your thoughts and create a blog post for Thursday about Real Love in Our Lives.  

So, here’s the question of the day: 

How does love show up in your life?

To get those juices flowing: 

• Think of a time when you felt loved, truly loved. Could you describe it? Why was that instance so special to you?
• When have you witnessed love in action? Was it a simple act of love that pierced your heart? Or was it more elaborate? 
• When have you felt the most love pouring out of YOU? 
• When has love surprised you? Have you ever been astounded by love? What about those small, quiet moments? When have you seen love that was soft and gentle? ​
• Tell me about a moment when you saw love in action. What did it look like? Why did it move you? ​

Describe, describe, describe.
If you want to dive in now: this is where you can send your thoughts:  lori@theparentingdare.com. 

I know. Big questions. But when we take the time to contemplate these deeper thoughts, we naturally expand. In a good way. Our hearts grow. Our eyes see. And we more easily love those in our realm.

Valentine’s Day is a great little holiday. We are weary of the cold winter months; we are ready for some warmth. 

So share with me. How Does Love Show up in Your Life? 

I can’t wait to read your thoughts. 

Email me at lori@theparentingdare.com. 

I will use your name unless you tell me otherwise. 

Note:
There are 7-8 “types” of love, including the big four: 

• Philia/Friendship.
• Eros/Romantic/Passionate.
• Familial (child/parent)
• Agape/unconditional, selfless (spiritual/God love)

As well as playful love, enduring love and healthy self-love. 

There are five “love languages” as described by Dr. Gary Chapman:

1. Words of Affirmation
2. Acts of Service 
3. Getting Gifts
4. Quality Time
5. Physical Touch

Maybe those “classifications” will help you describe a time when you experienced love in a profound (or profoundly simple) way. 

Thank you for sharing with me. You are gift!
​ 
 lori@theparentingdare.com.