Love

"Love is at the center of our being. It is the vital force that gives us energy and direction. It connects one heart with another. Love is irresistible attraction and affection for a person, a place, an idea, or even life itself. Love is cherishing others, treating them with tenderness. Love thrives on acceptance and appreciation. It has the power to heal. It calls us to continually hone ourselves, while releasing the need to control or make someone in our image. Nurtured by commitment and seasoned by kindness, love is our greatest gift."

*-excerpted with permission from Virtues Reflection Cards by Linda Kavelin Popov. http://www.virtuesproject.com/uscart/browse.html

Questions for reflection:

1. Whom do I cherish and how do I treat them with tenderness?
2. How do I show my acceptance and appreciation to those I love?
3. What control do I need to give up to try to make someone in my image?
4. How can I reach out with love to others in the world?

Being a first-time grandmother to a darling 10 month old girl, I know that my granddaughter brings out the love in all of our hearts. We delight in her every move, facial expression, and attempt to vocalize with different sounds. I watch my husband of 36 years soften and delight in holding her in his arms; the lines of age disappear from his face, and suddenly he is 10 years younger, his love is so great. It expands to everyone in the room. All else fades away as we are in the presence of such great love. We see how love allows children to know that they are loved for just being and they learn to trust adults and the universe that they will be taken care of. May all of the children of the world know that they are loved.

"Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself… " (Leviticus 19:18)

Love is caring for someone, wanting to be near them, and wanting to share with them. Love is the power of attraction. It is a special feeling that fills your heart. Loving people is treating them with special care and kindness because they mean so much to you… Love is treating other people just as you would like them to treat you—with care and respect."

-excerpts from the Virtues cards with permission from The Virtues Project™

"Tis the season to show love. How do we do that? Is it by buying gifts for family and friends? Do we equate buying and receiving gifts with being loving or being loved? How can we show love at this time of year, without getting caught up in the materialism of the season? This holiday season I have been pondering these questions. As I am scaling back on buying gifts this year, I wonder, what is the purpose of buying gifts? Am I trying to show that I love someone? If so, how can I show that love in another way? Or how can my buying gifts really demonstrate my love? What are some other ways I can be loving? Can I make a meal for someone who doesn't feel well? Can I spend time with someone who lives alone? Can I offer a ride to someone who is disabled? Can I speak to my neighbor and ask how they are? Can I replace a critical thought with a loving one? Can I tell a family member I love her?

Questions for reflection:

1. How can I be loving this holiday season?

2. What critical thought will I replace with a loving thought?

3. How will I show love to my neighbor?

4. Who will I tell, "I love you" today?

The Virtues Project™ strategies help children, youth and adults develop love and many other virtues.