Last night, I was listening to another spiritual teacher on YouTube. She echoed the similar story of many before her. We are here to love and be loved. Period. End of story. This is the entire purpose of existence. That is our life’s mission.
I don’t know if I have really heard the words like then. Think! Dropped like a rock.
It is incredibly obvious. And it is a mandate that is entirely overwhelming and difficult (or relaxed and simplistic, if you take a lot of breaths and forget the past and future).
My mind jumps directly to iconic figures. It is easy to see Mother Theresa in those words, although I’m not sure that I picture her in balance. Did she receive love? In the form of world recognition and admiration, perhaps? Does that count?
Ram Dass gave himself to the world, as a teacher, author and leader. He spent years and years caring for the dying, AIDS patients and his parents. Then the Eternal comedy reversed the roles. He had a stroke when he was 66. Interestingly, he had just finished writing Still Here: Embracing Aging, Changing and Dying when he nearly stroked out of this timeline. Living another 22 years, Ram Dass spent that time receiving love and care from those around him. The balance tipped. He was forced to receive (in a good way).
Smith Wigglesworth, Joel Goldsmith, Pope Francis…
My mom and my Grandma F lived iconic, love giving lives. Both had some trying times, in the dying times, where the tables turned and they had to learn to receive.
We all give and receive love.
Some people find one side or the other simpler, and I venture to say that most people smatter some love out and receive a smattering back. There are human beings on the planet who are all about receiving love. They are here to give the rest of us a chance to give it.
Rosanna’s daughter is a newborn, and she has to be an incredible receiver (as all babies must) just to survive. Dad is in a memory care home, also a full time receiver.
In medical crisis, I have had a chance to receive an incredible amount of love through energetic acts, words and thoughtfulness. Tons of people have actually worked HARD to keep me on the planet, the surgeon, oncologists, healers, family members, and so many of you in innumerable ways!
What if we went into each day thinking about our purpose? How would a day be different if we realized that the whole goal was to give love? What about receiving, allowing others to give love to us?
It’s overwhelming. And it is definitely worth a try.
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