(Used with Permission)
February the 14th is a day dedicated to love.
We asked our ezine readers to submit their thoughts
and favorite quotes about love and we received so many replies,
we’re still trying to read them all. Thank you for your submissions!
Love comes in many shapes and flavors and is expressed differently by folks.
Some expressions are so ‘different’ that we couldn’t add them to our ezine!
Such creativity, my goodness.
Love is a very strong emotion and it is a very real spiritual attribute.
It requires time and care and will ask you to put another person’s needs first
but true love will never ask you to sacrifice your own soul's integrity in the process.
Love is a challenge. Love is a mystery. Love can make you crazy and Love can keep you sane.
One of our love submissions came in the form of a new senior, Ms. Lydia,
creating a focus page within our Seniors Approve Free Web Community.
It brought tears to my eyes. See Lydia.
We will hold a special place in our hearts for you and Stan this year Lydia.
The recipe for a perfect marriage was also a testament to love.
See Mark.
Jean Wales of Wales Consulting and author of
"Do it Now" sends her thoughts -
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"In real life, as opposed to the movies and TV,
love is day-to day. Love is helping my husband
pack his lunch for the next day, while he helps me
by doing a 'carpentry' or 'electrical' fix-it job;
or listening to your teenager at 11:00 pm when he
or she is 'active' and you are 'drop-dead tired'
after a full day of career, housework and trying
to squeeze in a little 'me' time; or going to the
nursing home at 9 pm to help settle down your 91
year old dad when he is thoroughly disgruntled
about his care."
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LeeAnn, another ezine subscriber sent -
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Entering the back door of your best friend,
Holding a hand just because you care,
Seeing the wonders of nature, like it’s the 1st time,
Giving a smile to watch it continue to spread,
Listening to the tales of the good old days,
Knowing in my heart that I showed someone I cared,
Thinking before saying angry words & then remain quiet,
Leaving the judging to God,
To live life and not sit and let it pass,
To know love will never die,
The best memories are made from love.
Hugs to all
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Georgeann sent her quote about love –
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"If you love someone, put their name in a circle
instead of a heart, because hearts can break,
but circles go on forever."
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A reader from California, Judy M sent this, a quote from
Kahil Gibran -
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"They say if one understands himself, he understands
all people. But I say to you, when one loves people,
he learns something about himself."
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And Pastor Sandy L. from Illinois sent a quote that she has on her office wall by Mother Theresa -
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"Do not think that love, in order to be genuine, has
to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without
getting tired."
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Love can be the teacher of tolerance, acceptance and forgiveness.
Life will present opportunities to learn these qualities; however,
love enlightens your awareness and can be the ultimate impetus towards
forgiving, towards tolerance and acceptance beyond a human level.
I myself have learned to forgive others when it seemed humanly impossible,
while keeping my heart open to the spiritual love I have for my Creator.
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You can love a thing, love a person, love yourself,
love your country, love your job. Learning how to
feel this love without becoming possessed by the
object of your love, takes a bit of wisdom.
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I remember back in my hippie days the sentiment was, 'If you love a thing, let it go.'
Of course, life back then also included ‘Love the one you’re with’
which on the surface sounds harmless enough but the rest of the message
was one of reckless abandonment.
When one spirit connects with another, smitten by a love not equated
with physical attraction, it is in my opinion, a love meant to be.
You become soul mates and are forever connected. Even if, on this planet,
you never meet again.
I love. I love Richard, my husband, my best friend and my soul mate,
a man with an enormous capacity to love me without possessing me.
I love my son, Ross, born with an old soul full of wisdom beyond his
years who continues to blow me away with his gift of discernment.
I love Denise; my son’s soul mate whose calm laid back approach to
life balances my son’s intensity and creates a loving environment
for her children. I love my grandson Zachary who, at the age of four
has the ability to inspire me to be a better person. I love my
granddaughter Isabella whose smile and giggles have the power to lift
the heaviest of moods.
I love my pets. I love good chocolate. I love the Blues.
I love to color, write, to read and I love to learn. I love to laugh.
I love being alone. I love my family who has learned that although
I don’t fit the mold of what’s expected and considered ‘norm’, they’ve
learned to love me anyways. I love checking off things on my to-do-list.
I love a challenge. I love my job working with seniors and with those
in the elder care business.
Love is the creator of inspiration.
As you plan to celebrate the 14th, use a little imagination
to find the perfect expression of love that you hold for your children,
spouse, other family members, and your friends. And if you feel up to a
challenge, share some of that love with a person who may be hard to love.
Make it a day of giving of yourself as you celebrate the one day on our
calendar dedicated to love. Because Love is a feeling in motion that
once shared remains precious for all of eternity.
Barbara Mascio is the Founder of
http://www.qualityeldercare.com and of
http://www.seniorsapprove.com.
