What is true love

What is true love?

We've all heard the old saying...

Love is patient. Love is kind.

But do you really have a pure heart when you're in love with someone? Will you sacrifice your own happiness for theirs? Do you truly want them to be happy? 

I remember when I was speaking to my high school sweetheart's sister, and I said I would want her brother's happiness even if that meant it was with someone else. Even at the expense of my own happiness, I would want to see him happy because he is a good man and he deserves it.

She said to me..

"That is the essence of true love...that is the purest of love. The love you have for my brother is what true love should always be...unconditional, with an open heart, and always giving of yourself"

To a lot of people, that is a hard concept...to have someone happy when you're not? Sacrificing for another? We live in a "me" world, me first, everyone else behind me.

Some people don't even put their children first, let alone their spouse or lovers. They can't imagine putting 

someone's needs above their own.

Love is giving it your all and not expecting anything in return. It's loving someone so much that you will literally do anything for them. You will put their needs over yours, you think of their feelings first, and you are even willing to bow out in pursuit of their happiness.

I never really thought of it that way before. I knew I would always love this man, that he would be in my life one way or another but did I have the capacity to love in the truest sense of the word...the love the word talks about and teaches you?

Yes, I do... I learned that no matter if we were together or not, I wanted him in my life. I prayed for his happiness and that he would find love and peace in his life, with me or without me. It didn't matter. All that mattered was his happiness. 

I have learned to put my girl's needs over mine since they were born, but that is easy for a mother. But for another person? Without anything in return? Yeah, that shit is hard.

I have grown and learned so much these last 9 years, and yes, I've learned that I can love unconditionally.

I learned to love people for who they are, in their souls, not looking at their faults as we all have them. I learned to forgive without an apology. I've even learned to love my enemies.

Yes, and I have learned what true love actually means...to love someone else with a pure heart, even enough to walk away when it was one of my greatest loves because I knew he was willing to give up having children for me. I wanted him to experience that joy, so I walked away for his happiness.

So today, my friends, love with a pure heart, not for what someone can do for you or what you can get out of it for yourself. Just for the love itself, in its purest form, it is then you will know you have arrived in a place of joy and pure love.

"Be the change you want to see"

@TreadmillTreats