Love is a symbol of eternity.  It wipes out all sense of time, destroying all memory of a beginning and all fear of an end. ~Author Unknown

The celebration of Valentine’s Day is one of the best examples of polarity that there is on the planet.

When the male population was asked for their opinion of the holiday, their comments were generally the same in that their response was that they thought celebrating one day for “Love” was foolishness. They stated that they loved their partners every day and to make one day a holiday was ridiculous and simply a venue for marketers. On the other hand, women stated that they thought it was a ‘Lovely” idea and that receiving gifts and attention from their significant other was a wonderful thing to experience.

In addition, it’s a well-known fact that if the male does not make an effort to gift his woman, her feelings are hurt, she does not feel significant and she can and does draw the conclusion that “he” is selfish or an ass, or both.

The consequences of these thoughts by the feminine, spurs the act of thoughtfulness by the masculine on this day and the profits to the marketplace are HUGE. There is also the possibility of the “Third Side” which is …Give and you shall receive !

Esther Howland, the woman who produced the first commercial American valentines in the 1840s, sold a then mind-boggling $5,000 in cards during her first year of business. The valentine industry in the United States has been booming ever since.

Today, over 1 billion valentine cards are sent in this country each year…according to the Greeting Card Association. The happy day is also celebrated in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France and Australia. Eighty-five percent of all valentines are purchased by Women. In addition to cards, there are billions of boxes of chocolates and bouquets of roses purchased mostly by Men for the February 14 holiday. . .The ironic part of this story is that the two names symbolizing this “Love” day, Valentine and Cupid, are names of MEN. How many of us actually know any history regarding why we celebrate February 14? Where did Valentine and Cupid come from anyway??

I don’t understand why Cupid was chosen to represent Valentine’s Day.  When I think about romance, the last thing on my mind is a short, chubby toddler coming at me with a weapon. ~Author Unknown

Cupid…everybody is familiar with the boy armed with bow and arrows who pierces Hearts. The arrows were aimed at the gods and humans alike and the wounds inspired Love or passion in every victim. These wounds produced desires and emotions causing them to fall deeply in Love.

Cupid was the son of Mercury, the winged messenger of the gods, and Venus, the goddess of Love and Beauty. He was sometimes portrayed wearing armor like that of Mars, the god of war, perhaps to suggest ironic parallels between warfare and romance or to symbolize the Invincibility of Love.  He was generally viewed as beneficent because of the Happiness he imparted to couples both mortal and immortal.

There is a very interesting story about Cupid and His mortal Bride Psyche in Roman mythology.

Venus was jealous of the beauty of Psyche, and ordered Cupid to punish the mortal. But instead, Cupid fell deeply in love with her. He took her as his wife, but as a mortal she was forbidden to look at him. Psyche was happy until her sisters persuaded her to look at Cupid. As soon as Psyche looked at Cupid, Cupid punished her by leaving her. Their lovely castle and gardens vanished too. Psyche found herself alone in an open field with no signs of other beings or Cupid. As she wandered trying to find her Love, she came upon the temple of Venus. Wishing to destroy her, the goddess of Love gave Psyche a series of tasks, each harder and more dangerous than the last. For her last task Psyche was given a little box and told to take it to the underworld. She was told to get some of the beauty of Proserpine, the wife of Pluto, and put it in the box. During her trip she was given tips on avoiding the dangers of the realm of the dead and was also warned not to open the box. But temptation overcame Psyche and she opened the box. Instead of finding beauty, she found deadly slumber. Cupid found her lifeless on the ground and quickly gathered the deadly sleep from her body and put it back in the box. Cupid forgave her, as did Venus. The gods, moved by Psyche’s love for Cupid, made her a goddess. Cupid has always played a role in the celebrations of Love and Lovers so it seems appropriate that he is the most famous of Love signs and Valentine symbols. Love is most frequently depicted by two hearts pierced by an arrow…Cupid’s arrow.

The “Valentine” part of this holiday came from the Catholic Church who recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome.

When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men.

Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.

It is traditionally a day on which Lovers express their Love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery and sending greeting cards known as “valentines.”

The day first became associated with Romantic Love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of Courtly Love flourished. It was first established by Pope Gelasius I in 496 AD, and was later deleted from the General Roman Calendar of saints in 1969 by Pope Paul VI. Though no longer considered a Saint…Valentine is still the talk of the town…at least for today!!

So, here’s hoping that you Love and are Loved Every Day and that you and your Special Someone let each other know how very special each of you are to one another…not just today, Valentine’s Day, but Every Day.

Smell the beautiful flowers, taste the fabulous chocolate, smile and perhaps, even blush a little when you read the Loving Thoughts of your man or woman…Love is all there is and Love makes the world go ‘round.  Happy Valentine’s Day!

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Deep listening is miraculous for both listener and speaker. When someone receives us with open-hearted, non-judging, intensely interested listening, our spirits expand.  ~Sue Patton Thoele~

Everyone has a story to tell. However, not everyone may be willing to listen. Sometimes, we are amazed – in an unpleasant way – over the fact that we have not been paying attention to the one speaking to us.

At some point along the story, our mind has wandered off, and we only drift back to reality when suddenly asked, “Are you still listening?”

That would be most unfortunate, since next to our visual skills, our ability to listen allows us to reap various benefits. If we listen to our mentor as he shares with us useful thoughts on life, we become good apprentices.

If we listen to our professor as he lectures about the day’s lesson, we become good students. If we listen to our boss as he explains the rationale of the company’s recent policy, we become good employees.

If we listen to our parents as they advise us regarding career choices, we become good sons/daughters. If we listen to a friend in dire need of unloading his troubles, we become good friends.

In short, listening is vital in developing good human relationships.

To maximize our listening capability, here are a few tips.

Focus.

It is but a single word, but its message conveys far more. Being focused means paying attention, and a lot of it at that. It means temporarily forgetting about other matters of consequence and lending a few minutes of your time to hear someone speak his mind out. It means giving interest to whatever it is that the speaker might want to say. It is taking his words seriously into consideration in whatever decision we are to make. It is placing his story in the context of his emotions, and trying to understand him within the events occurring in his life.

Watch out for non-verbal cues.

The message need not always lie on the words, but also in movements that the speaker makes. If we also pay good attention to the speaker’s eyes, facial expressions, and gestures, we will be able to receive the message in totality. Moreover, if the speaker realizes that we are sincerely listening, we are boosting his confidence.

Be sensitive.

A good measure of sensitivity is also essential to maintain enthusiasm in the part of the person speaking. If the person is at the peak of his emotions, do not interrupt. After all, if someone is extremely angry or anguished, it will be a form of catharsis to remain patient until he has calmed down. Unless the person is already causing bodily harm, it will do him well to let him be purged of his bad feelings.

Show unconditional openness.

We may not always agree with what someone has to say, but being there to listen may be the least we can offer. While we may have different opinions about several issues, keeping our horizons wide is a healthy attitude. With these perspectives in listening, we become open to a world of unlimited learning and diverse experiences.

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With January nearing it’s end and Valentine’s Day, rapidly approaching, we would like to share some of our favorite romantic flirting tips with you.

But first we want to tell you about this powerful new technique that almost no one knows about. It’s about attracting a new romantic partner, or bringing back the closeness and passion in dying relationships… It is now well-known that people communicate with each other on a subconscious level constantly. We are constantly communicating with and affecting each other, whether we realize it or not…

Maybe you’re having problems ‘getting noticed’ by new potential partners?

Maybe you’ve lost that connection or spark with your old partner? …Like Carrie,  before she used the Contact program…

“We are closer now than we have been in years The Contact Program has worked very well for me! And it worked faster than I expected as well. I used it for improving my relationship with my husband of 11 years, and immediately I noticed him responding to me differently. We were in a ‘rut’ so to speak and I wanted to bring back the connection and spice to our marriage. I worked with the visualizations and in some cases actually noticed he would do or say something, just as I had visualized it. That was huge confirmation for me. Our relationship is very strong and we are closer now than we have been in years. I would definitely recommend this for anyone who is looking to effect their relationship. You will be pleasantly surprised.”

Carrie, USA

It is rather difficult to be romantic without first flirting.

What exactly is flirting and how can you adapt some flirting into your own romantic moods and play? To begin, you don’t want to be too aggressive. Start with very friendly gestures and once you have gotten those moves down, and then go for the romantic flirting!

Flirting is a frame of mind:

• Be self-confident and do not be afraid to take risks.
• Be enthusiastic about romance and be positive!

Start a sexy conversation:

• Start with a simple, opening line by saying hello.
• Talk about anything at all, whatever will get the romance going.

Enjoy yourself and have fun:
• Be playful, light-hearted and above all, be spontaneous.
• Show that you can be vulnerable.

Make good use of all props:

• Always use a prop.
• Props will get the conversation started naturally. They encourage conversation and others will want to start talking to you.
• Great props are: pets, children, great jewelry, a wonderful scent, a sweatshirt with your favorite sports team’s emblem, an interesting book or magazine.

Play host:

• Take the lead by taking on the role of host.
• Do not be the passive person in waiting, but rather the lead.

Introduce yourself first:

• Move closer to the person you want to meet and introduce yourself confidently!

Listen-up:

• Everyone loves to be heard and when you are a good listener your partner will be drawn to you.

Make bold eye contact:

• Look your partner in the eye gently (no more than 2-4 seconds) and then look away. You don’t want to stare!

Pay a genuine compliment:

• Your partner will be pleased and will warm up to you more. Show a beautiful smile:
• You will look so much more approachable. Everyone is attracted to a genuine and heartfelt, smile.

So there you go! These are all ground-breakers when wanting to approach someone with romance. We must always be mindful of the fundamentals. When we just dive right in, unexpected, we can turn our loved one off.

Go slow, a step at a time and feeling confident, approach with your best romance moves.

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Discover how to attract a new romantic partner, or bring back the closeness and passion in dying relationships, using just the power of your mind…Visit the link below to watch the free video – Unlocking the Secrets to being a Superstar Lover – http://www.realmindpowersecrets.com/lover/?13152

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By entering into marriage, we take a great risk. We place our very selves… our own intimacy… into the hands of another, who, like us, is beset with defects.

A great marriage is not when the ‘perfect couple’ come together. It is when an imperfect couple learns to enjoy their differences. -Dave Meurer

Marriage, however, is a vocation; our specific pathway to Heaven.

It’s the preeminent way we are meant to Love and serve God on this earth. Its purpose goes beyond our capabilities: to nurture and protect human Love, and to unleash it on the world.

Therefore, Love for one’s spouse has to be shown in tangible, practical ways.

Your Wife

One of your wife’s greatest needs is for you to be her partner and teammate, as opposed to the roles you may be more inclined to fill: coach,  boss, referee, babysitter or “temp”.

Compliment your wife in person and behind her back. Let her know with very specific and sincere examples how much you admire her and her work inside and outside of the home. Let others know it, too, whether in her presence (like at social gatherings) or outside it (like work). You want to make it apparent to her that you notice and appreciate her  every effort, and apparent to others that… ” This man really loves his wife!”

Don’t teach your wife to nag or sulk. Yes, you read it right. You do this when you don’t pay undivided attention to her words and ideas. A woman detests having to force her way into her husband’s mind and heart; and when faced with that task, she will likely keep things bottled up until she has to explode. Unthinking males refer to this as “nagging”.

Therefore, recognize that TV, newspapers, magazines, mail, hobbies, etc. are your mortal enemies when you get home from work. Avoid them, go straight to your wife, and with eye-to-eye contact, listen to her tell you how her day has gone. Better yet, take the initiative and ask her how she’s doing at least once a week – and give her all the time and attention she needs to tell you.

Don’t try to explain or fix your wife’s hurts. She usually only wants your understanding and empathy not solutions to her problems. Do not trivialize her concerns.

Help with menial tasks around the house. It can be a form of pride to think that these jobs are beneath you. One helpful and challenging suggestion is to perform the task that either you or your wife detests the most. Doing either one will please her greatly.

The more you invest in a marriage, the more valuable it becomes. -Amy Grant

Your Husband

Don’t expect him to be perfect. It’s to be hoped that the above points will have reminded him that he’s not perfect, and that he needs to work hard to fulfill his commitment of love in marriage. Make sure you let him know, in concrete ways, that you deeply appreciate his struggle – it is very important to a man that his best and honest efforts are treasured.

Do not expect him to be like a woman. He thinks, acts, and reacts differently than you do; and believe it or not, this is a good thing! Do not fall for the contemporary caricature of men as testosterone-poisoned little boys in adult bodies incapable of commitment, personal relationships,  or any other useful societal purpose. His maleness is there for you as a complement to your femininity…in other words…as strength for you.

Lavish tenderness and care on your husband. Little matters more to a married man than the certainty of his wife’s deep affection and care for him. It’s his fixed point amid the chaotic demands of his professional life. You will express this best not by doing occasional, extraordinary things, but by unrelenting acts of simple tenderness on a regular basis.

Loving unconditionally and always putting your husband or wife first and meeting their needs is the surest way to have and keep a happy relationship.

If each of you takes these matters to Heart,  you will find that Loving your spouse unconditionally is the most romantic thing you can do… because you will be living Love where it really counts: in the ordinary things, day by day by day.

In marriage, each partner is to be an encourager rather than a critic, a forgiver rather than a collector of hurts, an enabler rather than a reformer. -H. Norman Wright and Gary J. Oliver

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The American writer Henry David Thoreau once said:

“I find it wholesome to be alone the greater part of the time. To be in company even with the best of friends is soon wearisome and dissipating. I love to be alone. I never found the companion that was as companionable as solitude.”

Some would probably comment “what a sad man!” but if you stop and think about it, Thoreau is right. There are times that you really wish everyone would just fade away and leave you alone.

Is it right to crave solitude some times? The answer is a resounding YES.

In fact, it should be a requirement to balance out your life.

Being alone rests your soul from the constant need to interact. It frees you from the obligations that rule social interaction. You can be quiet and not worry that you’re being rude. You can eat what you want; do what you want to do; walk as fast or as slow as you want without having to think of your companion’s opinion.

Wouldn’t it be great to have only your own self to deal with?

Being alone helps you focus.

This is perfect time to talk to yourself – look back on the triumphs and tears; deal with the present; and dream of the future.  You can come up with plans on what you’d like to do. Get the house in order.Go to places you’ve always planned to visit. Start that book you’ve been planning to write forever.

You cannot be lonely if you like the person you’re alone with.
Wayne Dyer

Make decisions on issues as complicated as where to get your kid’s college tuition; to something as simple as what color the new wallpaper should be.  The freedom of your own choice is beyond exciting!

Being alone allows you to feed the inner YOU.

Whether the inner you wants triple chocolate with double dutch ice cream or to be lost in the world of the latest blockbuster movie, the important thing is – it’s YOU time.

Solitude gives you time to pamper your spirit and ask how it’s doing. Does it still feel loved? Or have you forgotten how it wants to commune with a Higher Spirit too?

Being alone also makes you think hard and see if you like who or what you’ve become.  Imagine the inner YOU as a different person – would you be worth knowing? Would you be happy spending time with this imaginary person? If  you can answer yes, then you are complete in every way that counts.

You should be your own best friend.

So spend time with this friend and enjoy being alone –it’s a guarantee that you’ll never be lonely.

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Shocking Film Shows the Truth About Achieving Lasting Health

Over the last 20 years the world population has grown by 30%. During that same time the population of diabetics in the world has grown by 766%!

What would you think if I told you that pretty much everything you’ve ever heard on TV, the radio or in newspapers about health was wrong…

There’s a shocking film that I think you need to see that reveals some hard truths about the mainstream heath information you’re used to hearing about.

And it gives a solution that is simple, powerful and extremely effective for virtually any health challenge. All you need to do is watch the trailer on the page below to understand what I’m talking about…

http://www.rawfor30days.com/cmd.php?Clk=4556540

What If the Secret to Having Unlimited Health and Vitality Was Easier Than you Ever Imagined?

Nothing will benefit human health and increase the chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet. Albert Einstein

If you’re seeking to be healthy and energetic in your life and avoid chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer like I am then you need to watch this film.

And if you’re a diabetic or have diabetics as friend or family members then you definitely need to see this. Enjoy the trailer and after you watch it I suggest picking up a copy for yourself. It’s less than $15 to get a copy for 5 days only up until this coming Friday.

Check it out by going here:

http://www.rawfor30days.com/cmd.php?Clk=4556540

Here’s to Your Elevated Health,

EnJoy!

P.S. – The film features some top notch health experts like Dr. Gabriel Cousens, Dr. Joel Fuhrman, Fred Bisci, Ph.D., and raw food expert David Wolfe… As well as some well known health advocates and celebrities like Woody Harrelson, Morgan Spurlock (from “Super Size Me”) and Dr. Michael Beckwith (from “The Secret”)

http://www.rawfor30days.com/cmd.php?Clk=4556540

P.P.S – 20% of all net proceeds are being donated to a ballot initiative that will require all GMO’s to be labeled in the state of California (setting a precedent for the rest of the country).

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To keep the body in good health is a duty… otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.  ~Buddha

What do the actor Woody Harrelson,

Rev. Michael Beckwith from “The Secret,”

Morgan Spurlock from “Super Size Me,”

Dr. Gabriel Cousens

and raw food guru David Wolfe

all have in common…

They’re all featured in a powerful documentary film the will forever change the way you think about your health (just watching the trailer will leave you stunned.)

If you haven’t yet seen this film there’s something really special going on this week that I think you should check out. You can see the trailer for the film and see what’s going on here:

http://www.rawfor30days.com/cmd.php?Clk=4556541

Whether you’re in perfect health or suffering with an illness like diabetes or any other health issue I highly recommend you watch this film.

It’s a powerful, emotional and educational film that is a must see for anyone who cares about their health. The films shows how important the food we eat is and how all it takes is 30 days to make a huge life altering shift in your health.

If you care about yourself and the health of your family, do yourself a favor and watch this movie!

And for 5 days only the producers of the film are giving away this film entitled “Simply Raw: Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days” and its companion “Raw for Life” 2 disc DVD set for 50% OFF the regular price…

All in an effort to raise awareness and raise funds for a ballot initiative to have all GMO (Genetically Modified Foods) labeled in California.

Why is it so important to get this passed in California?

Because it will set a precedent for the rest of the country to label GMO foods (something that much of the rest of the world is already doing).

Currently GMO foods are NOT labeled in the United States (or Canada)…even though they are labeled and even banned in many parts of the world.

http://www.rawfor30days.com/cmd.php?Clk=4556541

Learning is the beginning of wealth. Learning is the beginning of health. Learning is the beginning of spirituality. Searching and learning is where the miracle process all begins. Jim Rohn

But back to the film itself and how it will impact YOU…

If you are dealing with any health challenge, or you want to get into the best shape of your life, or you just want to feel vibrant with energy and have glowing skin…

Then you need to check out the trailer for this film and pick up a copy for yourself.

http://www.rawfor30days.com/cmd.php?Clk=4556541

The producers of the film (Alex and Nick Ortner – also known for their film “The Tapping Solution“) are also giving away a laundry list of amazing bonuses when you pick up a copy before this Friday.

So take a minute to watch the trailer for this amazing film by visiting the site below. And remember, diabetes is a pandemic situation with over 246 million people suffering worldwide. If you or anyone you know is dealing with diabetes make sure that they watch this film. It just may save their life…

Here’s to Your Elevated Health.

- P.S. – The 50% OFF is a ridiculously low price for the film. With the bonuses they’ve added on it’s almost a no brainer. It shows how passionate they are about getting this information out to the public. Make sure to check it out:

http://www.rawfor30days.com/cmd.php?Clk=4556541

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The History of Tapping: An Accidental Discovery Leads to a Healing Revolution

It began in 1980, with a psychologist by the name of Roger Callahan, and a patient with an extreme phobia of water. Mary’s fear of water controlled her life and kept her from daily activities. She was unable to take her children to the beach and was unable to drive near the ocean; she grew fearful when it rained, and could not even withstand the sight of water on TV. She had vivid nightmares involving water.

Dr. Callahan and Mary had been working on this problem together for over a year. Finally, Mary worked up the courage to sit within sight of the pool at Dr. Callahan’s house. Even doing this caused Mary extreme distress, and though she found ways to cope with the intense fear and emotional pain, she did not overcome her phobia. They discussed her problem, and how to overcome it, but without success.

Her fear of being near the water caused Mary stomach pains – a common “gut reaction.” Dr. Callahan had recently been studying traditional Chinese medicines, and learning about meridians. Suddenly he had an inspiration. Remembering that there was an acupuncture point for the stomach meridian on the cheekbone, he asked her to tap there, thinking it might cure her stomach pains.

Mary tapped her cheekbone as directed, and this little action changed medicinal history! The response seemed miraculous, to both Mary and Dr. Callahan. Her stomach pains disappeared. But even more amazingly, her phobia of water disappeared, too! She ran down to the pool and began splashing herself with water, rejoicing in her newfound freedom from fear.

Based on this discovery, Dr. Callahan began a series of investigations to develop and refine this technique, which he termed Thought Field Therapy. Gary Craig trained under Dr. Callahan’s tutelage in the 1990′s, learning the procedures for TFT. As time passed, Craig began to observe some problems with TFT, aspects that he saw were unnecessary complications.

TFT required practitioners to tap on a specific sequence of meridians (called an algorithm) for each different problem. Diagnosing the problem required a technique called muscle testing, wherein the practitioner would measure the relative strength of a muscle, while the patient explored various thoughts or statements.

Craig observed repeated scenarios in which the problem was incorrectly diagnosed or the practitioner tapped out the meridian points in the wrong order, yet the patient was still helped.. Based on these observations, he concluded that it did not matter in which order the meridian points were tapped.

Craig developed EFT as a simplified, improved version of the concepts behind Callahan’s TFT. EFT has one basic, simple sequence of points to tap, no matter what the situation.

Because of this, thousands of people have used Tapping for illnesses and to resolve emotional problems. Tapping practitioners have studied the techniques and trained to take on more complicated and difficult cases, and these dedicated practitioners report more successful applications daily. More and more people are discovering and exploring Tapping. Many are discovering how Tapping can change their lives.

If you would like to know more about tapping and how it might help you,  or would simply like to learn how it all works, you may want to read our post entitled “Basic Tapping Sequence for Anxiety” you may do so by clicking here.

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Ultimately, the reason why love and compassion bring us the greatest happiness is simply that our nature cherishes them above all else. The need for love lies at the very foundation of human existence.
It results from the profound interdependence we all share with one another. However capable and skillful an individual may be, left alone he or she will not survive. However vigorous and independent one may feel during the most prosperous periods of life, when one is sick or very young or very old, one must depend on the support of others.

Interdependence, of course, is a fundamental law of nature. Not only higher forms of life, but also many of the smallest insects are social beings who, without any religion, law, or education, survive by mutual cooperation based on an innate recognition of their interconnectedness. The most subtle level of material phenomena is also governed by interdependence. In fact, all phenomena—be they from the oceans, the clouds, or the forests that surround us—arise in dependence upon subtle patterns of energy. Without their proper interaction, they dissolve and decay.

It is because our own human existence is so dependent on the help of others that our need for love lies at the very foundation of our existence. Therefore, we need a genuine sense of responsibility and a sincere concern for the welfare of others.

We have to consider what we human beings really are. We are not like machine-made objects. If we were merely mechanical entities, then machines themselves could alleviate all of our suffering and fulfill our needs. However, since we are not solely material creatures, it is a mistake to place all our hopes for happiness on external development alone. Instead, we should consider our origins and nature to discover who we are and what it is we require.

The expression of love is also very important at the time of birth. Since the very first thing we do is suck milk from our mothers’ breast, we naturally feel close to her, and she must feel love for us in order to feed us properly; if she feels anger or resentment, her milk may not flow freely. Then there is the critical period of brain development from the time of birth up to at least the age of three or four, during which time loving physical contact is the single most important factor for the normal growth of the child. If the child is not held, hugged, cuddled, or loved, its development will be impaired and its brain will not mature properly.

As children grow older and enter school, their need for support must be met by their teachers. If a teacher not only imparts academic education, but also assumes responsibility for preparing students for life, his or her pupils will feel trust and respect, and what has been taught will leave an indelible impression on their minds. On the other hand, that which is taught by a teacher who does not show true concern for his or her students’ overall well-being will not be retained for long.

Nowadays, many children grow up in unhappy homes. If they do not receive proper affection, in later life they will rarely love their parents and, not infrequently, will find it hard to love others. This is very sad.

In the end, since a child cannot survive without the care of others, love is its most important nourishment. The happiness of childhood, the allaying of the child’s many fears, and the healthy development of its self-confidence all depend directly upon love.

Even when we engage in ordinary conversation in everyday life, if someone speaks with human feeling, we enjoy listening and respond accordingly; the whole conversation becomes interesting, however unimportant the topic may be. On the other hand, if a person speaks coldly or harshly, we feel uneasy and wish for a quick end to the interaction. From the least to the most important event, the affection and respect of others are vital for our happiness.

Recently I met a group of scientists in America who said that the rate of mental illness in their country was quite high—around 12 percent of the population. It became clear during our discussion that the main cause of depression was not a lack of material necessities, but a deprivation of the affection of others. So, as you can see from everything I have written so far, whether or not we are consciously aware of it, from the day we are born the need for human affection is in our very blood. Even if the affection comes from an animal or someone we would normally consider an enemy, both children and adults will naturally gravitate toward it.

I believe that no one is born free of the need for love. And this demonstrates that, although some modern schools of thought seek to do so, human beings cannot be defined as solely physical. No material object—however beautiful or valuable—can make us feel loved, because our deeper identity and true character lie in the subjective nature of the mind.

A Special Teacher…Practicing Unconditional Love

We Are Here to Serve

During times of great change, it is important to remember that we all chose to be here at this time to experience change.

We are living in a time of great change. Many thinkers and seers agree that humanity and the planet Earth are evolving at a quickened pace, and that this evolution will necessarily be severe and seemingly chaotic at times. It is natural for people to react with fear, because these changes will doubtless bring some level of difficulty and loss to many of us. However, it is essential that we all remember that our souls chose to be here at this time and to be part of this process.

Every movement in the universe is a movement toward love. This is true even in situations that appear on the surface to be the opposite of loving.  Since we chose to be here, we are capable and ready to rise to the challenges in which we find ourselves.

It is helpful to reflect on our own lives and make any changes necessary to fully support humanity and the planet into the state of love. When we open our hearts in love instead of closing them in fear, we serve the divine process. We are all powerful spirits who took form at this time in order to serve our fellow humans, our planet, and the universe. As we find ways we can serve, our fear dissipates.

We may serve by remaining calm and loving with our children and our families, even as the situation seems dark. We may serve by sending money to people who need financial assistance. We may serve by going out into the world and actively helping to rebuild lives. Regardless of what actions we choose to take, the essential element will be the internal gesture of choosing to remain in love. This is all that is needed.

When it is difficult to remain in love, we may always call upon our unseen helpers: the teachers and guides who are always with us. All we need to do is ask and then trust that we are being helped. The guidance we receive is love itself, showing us the way.

This article is a re-posted from: http://www.dailyom.com