Defining Love

[Cathleen]

Wow. That might belong on the WFMS thread, because it just fed mine. A good friend of mine used almost those exact words in our last conversation, but to see how you phrased it in print really drove it home. Thank you, Cate.

Don't be surprised to see part or all of that quoted in my sig line sometime (after I get over my current silly phase, of course)

(BTW - congrats on your first story post. NICELY done!! )

I love your signature line Hooch.... so start driving North and I'll go South! There must be a "no tell motel" in the middle!! LMAO

And thanks for the encouragement on submitting that story! I'm glad for your friendship!

 

[~Dream~]

I found a way to turn those thoughts and emotions to a good place. I was reading yet again from Seat of the Soul about power. Not a power of one over another but of the power, the energy, of the soul.

Our souls have energy and we communicate through this energy. We physically feel when our soul is out of synch with our life. I have also read many of Bernie Segel's books about health and love and connections. At first I was totally resisting the connection because of my health problems. I certainly did not want to be the cause of those illnesses. I still don't but I can understand more now that I am a cause.

Both tell of the connection between say anxiety and a physical pain in the solar plexus or the connection of fears surrounding love and the heart. My major health problem is my heart, no big surprise to me now!

So, back to the power or actually the fear we feel. So many times I've been afraid, physically as well as emotionally. But I can now feel fine with fear, with any emotion actually. I lived so long without emotion that now I've come to have them all and I'm not giving them up for anything. I value them all. I know they will pass, but I know more that they teach me.

I can remember, as many of you may too, hearing the words "Don't feel that", well, now I can say, "why not?" its only a feeling. Its not going to kill me, or you. It will not harm me, its my conscious and unconscious helping me to learn.

The soul that learns is the soul that grows. I do not ever want to supress an emotion or feeling again. Its harmful to me and to my growth. I do not want to be artifical. I only want the energy of my soul to grow and learn and interact.

So my post today was good for me, it was a feeling I was having, and perhaps will have again and again. But I know it is just that, a feeling, a thought, and they pass through me, teaching as they go. Power of the soul.... very cool!

wonderful thoughts from a wonderful Book Cate ...we have alot In common ..strawberry anyone?

 

[Cathleen]

wonderful thoughts from a wonderful Book Cate ...we have alot In common ..strawberry anyone?

Yummy !! I was wondering what I'd have for breakfast... and I just bought a bunch of strawberries yesterday!

Good morning Dream!

 

[~Dream~]

Yummy !! I was wondering what I'd have for breakfast... and I just bought a bunch of strawberries yesterday!

Good morning Dream!

Morning sweet Cate!!

arent they yummy??? I just love em...and as I taste their juices it so reminds me of other 'suckable' things as well

 

[wicked woman]

Originally posted by Cathleen

So, back to the power or actually the fear we feel. So many times I've been afraid, physically as well as emotionally. But I can now feel fine with fear, with any emotion actually. I lived so long without emotion that now I've come to have them all and I'm not giving them up for anything. I value them all. I know they will pass, but I know more that they teach me.

I can remember, as many of you may too, hearing the words "Don't feel that", well, now I can say, "why not?" its only a feeling. Its not going to kill me, or you. It will not harm me, its my conscious and unconscious helping me to learn.

The soul that learns is the soul that grows. I do not ever want to supress an emotion or feeling again. Its harmful to me and to my growth. I do not want to be artifical. I only want the energy of my soul to grow and learn and interact.

So my post today was good for me, it was a feeling I was having, and perhaps will have again and again. But I know it is just that, a feeling, a thought, and they pass through me, teaching as they go. Power of the soul.... very cool!

Welcome to the other side Cate! Glad you finally made it. You've finally realized that any feeling is better than no feeling. Enjoy.

 

[Cathleen]

Welcome to the other side Cate! Glad you finally made it. You've finally realized that any feeling is better than no feeling. Enjoy.

Good morning WW.... yup.. I make a pilgrimage every now and then to that other dark side.... yesterday I took a detour over there! Numb is not a feeling!

 

[wicked woman]

Originally posted by Cathleen
Good morning WW.... yup.. I make a pilgrimage every now and then to that other dark side.... yesterday I took a detour over there! Numb is not a feeling!

Lived it for too many years myself hon...one of my few regrets...but takes a very wise person to realize that even pain has a purpose..and joy is much to wonderful to give up.

 

[Cathleen]

Lived it for too many years myself hon...one of my few regrets...but takes a very wise person to realize that even pain has a purpose..and joy is much to wonderful to give up.

I have to be honest here, that numbness kept me alive, so I can't regret it. I am grateful for the mind's ability to survive. It isn't a good coping mechanism but it worked for me. However, it no longer works....... funny how that is !! Another "way cool"!

 

[Guest]

 

[Cathleen]

Perhaps shaking off that numbness, regardless of how long or how deep... doesn't that show that you can, and NEED, to love yourself? To care about yourself? I know that so many people just don't seem to... and sometimes it is alright to put yourself first (boy, I can't believe *I* am saying that...)

*I* am glad you did say it!

 

[Guest]

 

[Cathleen]

Thanks, Cate.... I have you to thank for being able to.

You're welcome, although I do need to practice what I preach sometimes. If we don't take care of ourselves then we can't take care of others.

 

[~Dream~]

just like the song says...'learning To love yourself is the Greatest Love of all""..how can anyone expect to be able to Truly love anyone else If they dont take care of themselves?? really...

 

[Guest]

just like the song says...'learning To love yourself is the Greatest Love of all""..how can anyone expect to be able to Truly love anyone else If they dont take care of themselves?? really...

Totally agree with you Dream!!!!

j

 

[midwestyankee]

I found a way to turn those thoughts and emotions to a good place. I was reading yet again from Seat of the Soul about power. Not a power of one over another but of the power, the energy, of the soul.



<snip>

The soul that learns is the soul that grows. I do not ever want to supress an emotion or feeling again. Its harmful to me and to my growth. I do not want to be artifical. I only want the energy of my soul to grow and learn and interact.

So my post today was good for me, it was a feeling I was having, and perhaps will have again and again. But I know it is just that, a feeling, a thought, and they pass through me, teaching as they go. Power of the soul.... very cool!

Cate, I'm glad this was good for you. Sometimes I find that the simple act of writing out what I think I am thinking makes my thoughts so much clearer.

I noticed you mentioned having bought some strawberries recently. Try spending 5 minutes eating just one. Savor it. Treasure it. Explore it. Come to love it. This advice (in a slightly different form) came to me from a friend recently after I had prattled on too long about growth, by the way,

Enjoy.

 

[midwestyankee]

just like the song says...'learning To love yourself is the Greatest Love of all""..how can anyone expect to be able to Truly love anyone else If they dont take care of themselves?? really...

Dream, in so many ways this is true.

Then again, I wonder if all it really takes is a commitment to learn how to love oneself, and then in the learning we develop our ability to love others more or less at the same time.

 

[Cathleen]

Cate, I'm glad this was good for you. Sometimes I find that the simple act of writing out what I think I am thinking makes my thoughts so much clearer.

I noticed you mentioned having bought some strawberries recently. Try spending 5 minutes eating just one. Savor it. Treasure it. Explore it. Come to love it. This advice (in a slightly different form) came to me from a friend recently after I had prattled on too long about growth, by the way,

Enjoy.

Thanks Yank.... jeez now I'm just more SF!!

 

[~Dream~]

Dream, in so many ways this is true.

Then again, I wonder if all it really takes is a commitment to learn how to love oneself, and then in the learning we develop our ability to love others more or less at the same time.

Yes ,I truly do feel it IS an ongoing process,I just meant that you have to start with at least a little self-love so that you can feel you really deserve to find someone that accepts you For Who you really ARE and not just who they want you to be..

I find my interests are definately braoadening and changing me ,for the better I hope...so indeed there are More things about Me to love and therefore I can also find More things In others to love as well

 

[CuriousNude]

Yes ,I truly do feel it IS an ongoing process,I just meant that you have to start with at least a little self-love so that you can feel you really deserve to find someone that accepts you For Who you really ARE and not just who they want you to be..

I find my interests are definately braoadening and changing me ,for the better I hope...so indeed there are More things about Me to love and therefore I can also find More things In others to love as well

Very well said !

 

[~Dream~]

Very well said !

thanks again Curious...

ya always seem to pop in after I have 1 of my more revealing moments...hehhehe

 

[Cathleen]

Sometimes the path to love yourself is from allowing another to tell you what they love about you. To see yourself from their point of view. To let that information settle into your soul and begin the process of loving yourself. Others see what we can not many times.

 

[Guest]

 

[midwestyankee]

Sometimes the path to love yourself is from allowing another to tell you what they love about you. To see yourself from their point of view. To let that information settle into your soul and begin the process of loving yourself. Others see what we can not many times.

I'll take this path anytime.

Maybe a certain someone will offer to take me by the hand and show me the best parts of the path.

 

[Cathleen]

I'll take this path anytime.

Maybe a certain someone will offer to take me by the hand and show me the best parts of the path.

I am beginning to thing that "A Certain Someone" is THE most popular person at Lit. Seems to know everyone! lol

 

[midwestyankee]

I am beginning to thing that "A Certain Someone" is THE most popular person at Lit. Seems to know everyone! lol

I'm sure you're right.