There are times when we are timid and shy about expressing the love
we feel. For fear of embarrassing the other person, or ourselves,
we hesitate to say the actual words "I love you." So we
try to communicate the idea in other words. We
say 'take care' or 'don't drive too fast' or 'be good.' But really,
these are just other ways of saying 'I love you,' 'you are important
to me,' 'I care what happens to you,' 'I don't want you to get
hurt.'
We
are sometimes very strange people. The only thing we want to say,
and the one thing that we should say, is the one thing we don't
say. And yet, because the feeling is so real, and the need to
say it is so strong, we are driven to use other words and signs
to say what we really mean. And many times the meaning never gets
communicated at all and the other person is left feeling unloved
and unwanted.
Therefore,
we have to LISTEN FOR LOVE in the words that people are saying
to us. Sometimes the explicit words are necessary, but more often,
the manner of saying things is even more important. A joyous insult
carries more affection and love within the sentiments which are
expressed insincerely.
An
impulsive hug says I LOVE YOU even though the words might be saying
very different.
Any
expression of a person's concern for another says I love you.
Sometimes the expression is clumsy, sometimes even cruel. Sometimes
we must look and listen very intently for the love that contains.
But it is often there, beneath the surface.
We
say I love you in many ways - with birthday gifts, and little
notes, with smiles and sometimes with tears. Sometimes we show
our love by just keeping quiet and not saying a word, at other
times by speaking out, even brusquely. We show our love sometimes
by impulsiveness. Many times we have to show our love by forgiving
someone who has not listened to the love we have tried to express.
The
problem in listening for love is that we don't always understand
the language of love which the other person is using. A girl may
use tears or emotions to say what she wants to say, and her boyfriend
may not understand her because he expects her to be talking his
language. Thus, we have to force ourselves to really listen for
love.
The
problem with our world is that people rarely listen to each other.
They hear the words, but they don't listen to the actions that
accompany the words or the expression on the face. Or people listen
only for rejection or misunderstanding. They do not see the love
that is there just beneath the surface, even if the words are
angry. We have to listen for love in those around us.
If
we listen intently we will discover that we are a lot more loved
than we realize. Listen for love and we will find that the world
is a very loving place, after all.
LOVE
is a happy thing.
It makes us laugh.
It makes us sing.
It makes us sad.
It makes us cry.
It makes us seek the reason why.
It makes us take.
It makes us give.
Above all else it makes us LIVE.
It
is not the presence or absence of people that makes the difference
because a person need not be lonely even if he is alone. Sometimes
it is good to be alone. But that does not make us lonely. It is
not a matter of being present WITH someone. It is a matter of
being present TO someone.
So
remember ... If you love someone, tell them. Remember always to
say what you mean. Never be afraid to express yourself. Take this
opportunity to tell someone what they mean to you. Seize the day
and have no regrets.
Most
importantly, stay close to your friends and family, for they have
helped make you the person that you are today and are what it's
all about anyway.
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