I put this quote up on my Facebook page for Martin Luther King Day. I had thought that it would be warm and fuzzy and that people would like it. Well, some did. Others not so much.
But it got me thinking. It is easy to say the words, but do we truly feel this at a cellular level. Yes, I can SAY I will stick to love, but when I took it into my everyday life, I came up wanting.
I feel it is sometimes hard to know when loving must stop and boundaries should be in place. Or maybe loving can remain even though boundaries are in place? The reaction of some to my message on Facebook was startling. Rather than react to the vitriol, I stepped back. It very quickly became (of course) political.
But as an afterthought, I wondered if stepping back was the correct decision. Wouldn’t it have been better to say something that would establish my boundaries? I think we all get too caught up in trying to be loving at all costs. But it’s NOT OK to allow someone to walk all over you just because you love them.
It took a long time for that to sink in.
And then I questioned myself on whether I was authentically loving everyone. I wasn’t. I was being judgmental and shaming and blaming, just like we all do. But why was that? I had to really be honest and say it is because I am insecure. Why? Because perhaps, maybe, could it possibly be that the person I should really love- unconditionally, deeply, imperfectly, at all costs, is myself and I wasn’t doing that?
WHY NOT?
Because every day I make it clear to me that I don’t.
“I hate my body today!”
“Gosh what a mess I made of that.”
“No one is going to come to my class.”
“I look terrible in that video.”
“I am not good enough, smart enough, just not enough.”
This is NOT OK.
So, I’m deciding to TRULY stick to love at all costs with my boundaries in place, my antenna up, lovingly refusing to take delivery of bullshit from myself.
Peace.
Amen sista!
Such a gracious quote from a truly wonderful man. It was sad to have his life cut short before he could touch more people with his words and philosophy.
I commend you for reiterating MLK Jr’s words and presenting it on a venue that reaches millions…maybe billions of people.
Please do not second guess yourself. Life itself is a learning process and sometimes we “get it” right away, while other times the “ah ha!” moments take longer to process and bubble to the surface. I like to think we are all in the University of Life, functioning as both student and teacher as we are mentoring and being mentored.
You put forth a beautiful effort and, if some choose to deny or even attack, it does not diminish the courage it took to make the post, nor the enlightenment of Martin Luther King’s words.
Despite the storms, the sun always reappears. Love and courage; you have a wealth of both and I hope you stand strong and do not allow anyone to steal your joy. God bless.
It is possible to love everyone, however most you have to do it from afar.
Amor…
Entender as vezes parece fácil, mas praticar, nem tanto assim…
É uma lição que a dois mil anos buscamos assimilar…
Aprendi “teoricamente” que devemos buscar o amor que vem de Deus, pai todo poderoso… O amor incondicional!
E amar incondicionalmente é respeitar a condição atual de cada um; ter o discernimento do que é certo ou errado, bom ou ruim, com consciência e responsabilidade… dando sempre o seu melhor sem exigir nada em troca.
É questão de valor que vai muito além do que vemos ou tocamos. E nesse lindo mundo onde as trocas ou negociações prevalecem, se torna “trabalhoso” colocar em prática algo tão complexo… mas certamente o maior tesouro de todos.
Well said. Those who have genuine love for Christ have genuine love and respect for others. Those that felt the need to criticize, fail to understand the grace of God. May they have an encounter that will enlighten their hearts. Until they do, their view is distorted and there is no way to convince them otherwise. Blessings to you and yours in abundance.
You are spot on, my dear. I publish a hard copy and online newspaper called Athens Now, and that quote is going to be the theme of my Publisher’s Point, which will come out on Friday. I “accidentally” came across what you had put out, and am sorry you got attacked. Keep going, and stick to love. You are most definitely on the right track!
One of my favorite scriptures is from Song of Solomon: “Many waters cannot quench love, nor can the floods drown it. (Literal Hebrew then says, “It is the flashing fire of Yah.” Love always is stronger, and ultimately will triumph.
Stay on it!