Even after all this time
The sun never says to the earth "you owe me".
Look what happens with a Love like that!
It lights the whole Sky. (Hafiz)
If I had to guess at why I was put on this earth - what difference I can make - I would say it has to be to love. I think we are all here to love, though. Is that a special skill? Something that can be made into a PrimeTime Heroes character? I mean do I really posess any loving talent greater than another? No, I don't think so. But I do think that loving is central to my existence. I want to learn how to do it well.
I already love so many people. I love the people put in my life without earthly choice: my parents, my children, my grandparents, my in-laws (via the earthly choice of my husband).
My earthly choices: Kevin and my friends.
The various people that I know well enough to show my love: co-workers, friends of friends, long ago friends, friends parents, teachers, people that I see frequently- some whose names I don't know (grocery store clerks), kids friends, kid friends parents.
Those that aren't the easiest to get along with because of who I am: George W. Bush, haters, negative people, manipulators, con artists, people with extremely different beliefs than me, darkworkers.
And the others - the one's that I find it hardest to love: criminals, child abusers, toxic people.
Those people least like me are hardest to know, right? I mean our differences make us resist getting to know one another. There are a lot more people in this world that are different than me than are the same. And yet, as I explained in my other post: Whatever, Same Difference, those differences are neither here nor there. I don't really care about them - when it comes down to humanity and love, I would prefer to hedge my bets on love winning in the end.
Do I want to make earthly choices about how to spend my time? Yes. I would rather spend my time with people that respect me and love me back.
Did I make an earthly choice on who to marry? Yes. I had to pick one person, people. And he had to pick me back. That's how marriage works (for me). Do I think that means I could never love another man again? No. I know I could - in much the same way. And I hope, should anything ever happen, that Kevin could love another woman in a similar way.
Love is our greatest expression of freedom. When we stop putting obstacles in the way of love and just love - we are truly free.
I wrote a question on facebook the other day. I asked my girlfriends to tell me if they tell their girlfriends that they love them, hug/kiss them, hold hands, or any physical contact (out of support or just because). I wasn't asking because I have an agenda. I just wanted to know. We give guys a hard time for their lack of emotions and ability to hug other guys. And yet, at most I hug my friends hello or goodbye. I sometimes tell girlfriends I love them. And I have kissed a few friends on the cheek when I felt they really needed the support. Yet, my daughter naturally holds hands with her best friend as they walk down the street. She and her friend giggle and hug and express their feelings about their "best friendship" with ease. And I sit wondering. When will that change? What rules will our girls learn that will suffocate their natural expression of love?
Is reading this making you squirm? Or question my sexual orientation? Honestly, it is making me squirm a little at thought of being questioned. And yet, I am learning to not care. I love to love. I love to be free in that way. There are so many rules I can't keep up with them - so I try not to. The love I feel for my fellow humans transcends those well known Greek/Christian classifications: Eros (sexual), Phileo (brotherly), Storge (parental), Xenia (hospitality). I feel something more like Agape: loving the soul of every individual.
If I could be a Hero would my special power (Love) make me extremely weak or superhumanly strong? Would I be so loving and trusting of others that one could come to me in a hug and stab me in the back? Or would my continued love for them at the moment of my death transcend death itself?
The children of Adam are limbs of each other
Having been created of one essence.
When the calamity of time afflicts one limb
The other limbs cannot remain at rest.
If you have no sympathy for the troubles of others
You are not worthy to be called by the name of "man". - Sa'di
4 comments:
I'll reply at length later when I have more time, unfortunately, a certain kindergartener came home sick today! OOPS-
But at first glance, it was a cool post. Didn't make me squirm a bit.. and I hug everyone! I kiss EVERYONE on the cheek, its a latin custom that I've completely embraced and its nice to greet and be greeted as such...
I have no idea -or care- for that matter, what people think about my affectionate attitude. The people who's opinions matter in my life, all think my warmth is a great trait... to hell with the rest of 'em! HA!
The latter.
C.S. Lewis has a book called The Four Loves and leaves out Xenia.
Also, your last question reminded me of the premise of The Idiot by Dostoyevsky: If a Christlike person were on the Earth today, would he be revered and respected or viewed as an idiot?
Oh, I have said many times that if Christ were alive today he would NOT be revered by the very same people that throw his name around to "stone" others. Jesus would be put to death again and again until we wake up and really hear what he is/was saying. (Death may be literal or figurative - depending on the times).
:) and yes, just me is of the BWhoUR blog...
oh, and I found Xenia on wikipedia - it was more of the Greek tradition... :)
Post a Comment