Love is an act of faith, and whoever is of little faith is also of little love. Erich Fromm
Have you ever seen a child learning to walk? Those stumbling first steps cause such tension in the tiny body that pediatricians say sleep can be interrupted as the body remembers and startles awake. So much effort in staying upright!
Learning to practice love provides every bit as much opportunity to misstep, to fall short. To fall, appearing uncool. Incapable.
But the good news is that no one can master love. When people assert a degree of mastery, in fact, that’s the first clue they’re on the wrong track. They need more practice. And even after we’ve learned to walk with confidence, or to love with confidence, there’s still that piece of broken sidewalk that can trip us up. Humility is always a good idea!
So take heart. We’re all beginners at learning faith, in learning love.
A good place to start may well be tenderness for one’s self. Kindness often proves to be contagious. Or simply put by the poet Wendy Cope:
I love you. I’m glad I exist.
Here’s to the month full of heart!
with love,
Audrey
