“Love isn’t a state of perfect caring. It is an active noun like ‘struggle’. To love someone is to strive to accept that person exactly as he or she was made, exactly as they are here and now.”
~ Fred Rogers
I love this wonderful quote by Fred Rogers. There lies a profound ideology within the simplicity of its message. The term ‘unconditional love’ is thrown around freely these days; the basis of its meaning is Acceptance. In other words, if you wholly love another being, do not assign expectations to them to behave in the way that you do, or react the way that you want them to react. The action of acceptance is allowing others to be themselves. By relating without any expectation, you allow another the space to grow exponentially both spiritually and emotionally. Accepting someone means you love them today, just as they are, with all of their victories and failures.
I spent some time with someone the other day and it reminded me that as humans we often lose sight of how vital recognition and approval is to a relationship. How one gets to a place of acceptance is by practicing letting go of preconceived notions or expectations that we may harbor. If instead, we simply enter into a state of anticipation, the excitement of eagerly waiting for another’s reaction (instead of expecting it to be as you wished) will deliver you to a place of appreciation. By showing greater appreciation of another, you come across as valuing the other’s voice rather than being judgmental.
So, take on the curiosity of child. Open up and explore life and the relationships you have (and will have) as if it were your first day with them, regardless of what the past has dealt you. Remember, that throughout each of our journeys, we meet, connect and commune with all sorts of folks; accepting them all at face value will improve each and every one of those relationships, regardless of their importance in our lives.
There is far more kindness and goodness to be had in meeting others in this manner, and this divisive world certainly needs more of that!