sapientbreeze

A lot of people are raised, or shown by the world, that they ought only care for themselves. Call it narcissism, call it immaturity, or call it trauma – it’s a life lived in the shadow of love. In our Modern Era, it’s never been easier to live alone, and for one’s self. Many champion this life style – to the young or uninitiated, it seems very appealing to live a fast life for yourself. Particularly with the advent of social media, it has gotten very easy to pretend that we don’t need love to be happy.

Perhaps some would prescribe meditation, but any avid practitioner knows that the children of the Social Media Age are not going to find answers easily enough for that to work. You’re going to need to fall, and hit a personal reckoning to see how desperately you need love in your life. In time, everyone learns that a life without love is painfully empty.

This is not to say you must have a traditional family with a spouse and children. That’s the shortest path to filling your life with love, but not the only path. Many find love in volunteering actively, and mentoring younger children in bad situations. Some find love in helping people at a job, although tying the love in your life to your job risks much if that employment should end. Love is in building a community of people who see you as you are, and still want to be in your life.

For the lost, this is one of the first things I’d recommend. Stop being alone, stop pretending you’re happy by yourself. Seek opportunities to connect with people who are like you: family, older friends, clubs or sports you life, etc. Admit to yourself that you would be happier in the company of others, and prioritize making a plan to be alone less. This is just like any other aspect if personal development: you are addressing your social health.

The internet has created the means for people to survive without prioritizing their social health. If this is you, commit to making small changes to get out of your box. Go pick up food vs having it delivered, or even try going in yourself to order sometime. Everyone will have different steps to take to move back out into their community. One step at a time, you must try to come back to the people, just like any other aspect of pushing yourself.

Find a friend who can help push you out, but if you lack even that, then you must find love for yourself. This can be hard, and if you are in a very dark place, this is where you must start. Focus on all of the things you’ve done in your life that you’re proud of. Think of how many times you’ve kept it together despite feeling awful inside. Hug close the good, and for the mistakes: remember that you’re only a human doing their best in a difficult situation. Commit to learning from those mistakes, and hug yourself with true compassion, for it was hard going through what you’ve endured. Know this: YOU DESERVE LOVE.

Regardless of your personality or circumstances, you need to find your people… your community. Step one is finding love for yourself… this is harder than it sounds. Step two, find love in the people around you. This love will be conditional if you’ve not found love for yourself, so you must find love for yourself regardless. Step three: expand your circle of love to friends, family, and those living in close proximity to you. Step four, everyone in your community… and eventually everyone.

Starting with love for yourself, work on expanding that circle… never stop pushing to expand that love. Know that love is about understanding, not necessarily trust… you can love a brother who suffers from addiction, but that doesn’t mean you let him take advantage of you. Love is to see the good at everyone’s core, the baby they all began as. Love is to see the human, who is struggling with whatever they are struggling with, and trying to find a path back to the light.

Make love your reason, and your Purpose will burn white hot within you!