Let love

I have been struggling to write this blog post for the past few days. To concisely say everything I thought I wanted to say seemed like a large undertaking, but today in reflection of the events in my own life over the past few weeks, it seems simple. The same things I talk about daily are the things which I feel need to be shared here.

A few weeks ago, I was standing at the fish counter in a market, waiting for someone to help me. It was a Sunday afternoon, and after a while, I thought maybe no one worked the fish counter on Sunday afternoons, and maybe I couldn’t buy that crab that was on sale. I stood up on the red railing that was on the floor so I could lean over the counter and made a cute “ding-ding” noise. Still no one came. I looked to my friend who was shopping me with and shrugged. Just as we were about to give up on the entire idea of crab, a woman came from behind the double doors. She was sobbing, weeping as if someone had just died. I looked at her, the crab completely forgotten and asked her if she needed a hug. I walked behind the counter and held her while she cried. I assured her that all would be well and tried to comfort her. I still don’t know why she was that upset, but within a few minutes, she was calm, smiling, and I not only had my crab, but also had an amazing feeling of joy for being able to comfort someone.

In my life playing music for a living, I am blessed to meet so many people. It is joyous to be a part of the tapestries of so many peoples’ lives. At times, it can be heart breaking and challenging, too. There is an epidemic of suffering in our world. Suffering, I believe, we can only overcome if we all learn to love truly and fully and if we learn to lead lives based on love.

There is a wonderful concept called the universal consciousness. You can see it in birds as they fly. If one changes direction, so do the rest. Look up next time you see a flock of birds, and watch, it really is amazing. I think this kind of consciousness exists in us, too. Every thought we have have, every action, every word- they all affect the world in which we live. So, if we are able to let go of our hurt, our anger, our pain and live with love in our hearts, speak with love, and act with love, we could change the course of our collective world. A lot of people think this is just silly “hippie” talk. Believe me, I have heard it all, and yes, I have been known to wear patchouli and at this very moment, I am wearing a purple tie dyed skirt, but that should not really matter. The concept, I think, is valid.

It is the driving course of my life. No matter the pain or hurt I have endured, I made a conscious decision about fifteen years ago that I would try to live a life full of love and joy. I am not always successful. I am a big crier, and often I try to carry the weight of everyone in my life–another lesson I am desperately trying to learn in my life, but I am far too stubborn to accept. Love is, in its essence, the only thing we have in this world.

So many times I have been told I do not live in reality, and I tire of hearing it. I tire of hearing the argument that one cannot live on love alone. These are pessimistic ideas, and they do not embrace love. Love, like God, or Goddess, or Universe, or Dog is the only thing that can truly feed our souls. It doesn’t matter what you call it. Trusting in love, giving yourself to love will indeed provide. Love has no boundaries. It opens the body, soul, heart and mind to all kinds of experiences and opportunities. They key is being open to them. We have to embrace LOVE as a way of living.

The place where this begins is the hardest. It is a struggle for everyone I know who is on this path. It begins with loving ourselves. We cannot give love without loving ourselves, too. If you have ever been in a relationship with someone who doesn’t love her or himself, or if you have not loved yourself, you will understand this. I am not talking about ego. I am talking about allowing yourself to be imperfect, loving, and accepting of who you are, the gifts you were given, and the soul you have. Be perfectly imperfect. Embrace yourself. Know that there are times when you will fail, not only in life endeavors, but also in living a life of love.

We are raised to be such judgmental creatures. We judge each other, and we judge ourselves. To let go and let love puts an end to that cycle of abuse. If we can all embrace one another with love in our hearts and minds, we lose the judgment, we lose anger, we lose hurt, we lose envy. We become authentic souls walking on this earth sharing in the human experience.

So, that’s my blog. This is my gratitude for living and sharing my life with so many people. I attempt to live each moment with love as the guiding force. I try, every day, to share love and give love to those who need it.