"Love is patient, love is kind."
We all have heard this Bible verse before. Especially at weddings and the like.
But no one ever talks about how hard love is. Like, when someone wrongs you, love is probably the last thing on your mind. Really listen to those two words for a second, Patient, and Kind.
Let's start with patient.
The Webster definition of patience is: "the capacity to accept delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.
Let that sink in... now relate that definition to love, specifically, to the relationships in your life. Partners, friends, family, coworkers, acquaintances, even that lady at the grocery store the glares at you as you're picking up milk.
To accept delay, trouble, or suffering within my relationships? What does it take to do that? Discipline? Perserverance? Is it even possible?
Hold that thought.
Now, kind:
"the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate."
Friendly, Generous, and Considerate.
What do these three traits have in common? Selflessness comes to mind first! We are all exteremly self centered. Just think for a second how often you think about yourself. When one takes some of that attention off themselves and into other people, it's amazing how these traits become, maybe not easier, but easier.
But again, what does it take to do that? Easier said than done too.
Trust me, I hear you! I am very self aware. Which can be a very good thing! But again, that also means I tend to compare, assume, and flat out put feelings and thoughts into other peoples' heads that probably aren't there. And this makes me self conscious, scared, and self-defensive.
Making it extremely hard to love others as I ought. But I think we all have this problem to some extent. Which is what makes it hard to follow these two little phrases.
However, love is also a choice, just as patience and kindness are. Therefore, we can make that choice, every day when we wake up in the morning, to choose love and not hate. Now, we must remember we won't be perfect. Anger, selfishness, and overall fatigue WILL creep in and disrupt this choice.
So we must love ourselves enough as well, to give ourselves grace and compassion in these moments. We must be patient and kind with ourselves too. Because what we're feeling inwardly, leeks outward.
Some food for thought!
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