Hello there
Today I have a question:
Is love still LOVE when it is couched in criticism or negativity?
Today I heard the story about a friend of mine (let’s call her Jane) who is constantly being berated by another friend of hers (let’s call her Mary), for being clumsy.
Now I have known Jane for many years and while she is not graceful in all she does, I do not find her clumsy in my company, yet Mary finds her so.
When I quizzed Jane more deeply on the dynamic of her friendship with Mary she told me that Mary is always premising her remarks with – ‘I’m only telling you this because I love you and care for you!’
So what does this dynamic mean?
What kind of relationship do they have?
Is Mary expressing love?
Is the love valuable and beneficial for Jane to experience?
And are Mary’s actions integrated with her words of love?
Love is not simple is it? As an ideal it may be but in reality is it?
Surely in this Jane/Mary dynamic there are some other expressions that are impinging on any love that Jane may be feeling from Mary?
It leads me to think that love is not simple but extremely complex when viewed through the dynamics of words and actions.
So maybe the best way to judge the truth of love is to be still and silent
and see how the love from the person in questions feels.
Do you feel happy, upset, angry, disempowered, reduce to less than yourself?
Does being loved bring you a great sense of peace and joy?
If not – what are you doing in this relationship you are in?
Why are you staying in it? what else do you get from it - if it is not love?
See, I told you these thoughts were complex!
But, if you are unwilling to answer the tough questions, then you are unwilling to experience a deeper understanding of love.
What do you think?
Till next time
In love and peace
Melody