Paramahansa Yogananda says: "Love
cannot be had for the asking; it comes only as a gift from the heart of
another".
Such wisdom! We tend to expect that love
should automatically come to us from certain people, like parents, siblings,
spouses etc. Not only expect it but we would like to determine the quality,
extent and intensity, too. It is all about personal needs whereas love is a
fountain from the heart. If that fountain is minimized or shut down at will, or
through traumatic circumstances, it will not be forthcoming.
I know of a case where this person felt so
unloved that she neglected an obvious ailment just so that she would get
attention. And later, when she regretted the neglect, it was too late and she
passed on, a sheer case of expecting love from a source that had none to give.
Yes, our hearts need to be open to love and
to receive it as well. And love cannot be demanded. It has to be a gift given
willingly and out of love.
I have been told, "I am very loving
but I don't know why I never get it". These are perspectives. Love is
given in different ways by different people and not exactly the way we want it.
Some love silently and are not demonstrative. Some love less but show more
though there IS love here too. Some show their caring by making life easier for
their near and dear ones but never say, "I love you".
We have to have eyes in our hearts as it
were, to see, to perceive love in its multiple forms and formats.
Surekha Kothari
surekhakothari.wordpress.com
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