The Gift

... of Unconditional Love. And what does that even mean?

I had a realisation this week.

It looked something like this:

If you like me, or love me, I must like or love you back.

And there is nothing wrong with loving others; that is the underlying state we seek to remember in the physical.

But my realisation came with a caveat revealed in the word ‘if’ because it usually follows with a ‘then’.

If you love me or like me, then I am obligated to you in some way.

Now that doesn’t feel good.

Obligation, usually accepted when we are young, doesn’t feel good. Image by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Quickly a litany of ‘what ifs’ followed:

Could you love me if

• I say something you don’t like.

• I do something you don’t like.

• my appearance challenges you.

• my choices aren’t your choices.

And then I tested it.

Can I love you if

• you say something I don’t like?

• you do something I don’t like?

• your appearance isn’t aligned with mine?

• your choices aren’t aligned with mine?

The answers, in case you are wondering are yes, yes, yes, and yes.

So then the final test is:

Can I love me if

• I say something I don’t like?

• I do something I don’t like?

• I don’t appear the way I think I should?

• I don’t like the choices I have made?

Hmmm, now there is food for thought. I generally am kind to myself, however, this kind of interrogation creates some discomfort.

Dig a little deeper and I find there have been many lifetimes of obligation / conditional love, and I am being reminded of the opportunity to heal and release this imbalance through present lifetime experiences.

The only happiness I am responsible for is my own and through reclaiming joy I can spread that joy far and wide.

And so the obligation of exchange I have felt is only a limited belief that has been created and which I accepted over time.

The only responsibility I choose for myself is to speak and act from love, trusting that how another receives them is not under my control.

Realisation - what a blessing!

Freedom is choosing Unconditional Love. Image by Kelli McClintock on Unsplash

Today, I thank myself for the sadness and disappointment created by conditional love and now I choose to heal and release all points of energetic imbalance.

If you are looking for support to have a conversation with your Inner Child you may like the Inner Child Meditation.

An Inner Child Meditation

Today, I am floating on the realisation that I can reclaim unconditional love for myself and I do it now. It might mean that from a loving heart I say,

• ‘No, thank you.’

• ‘I love and trust that what you choose is right for you in this moment.’

• ‘I trust me.’

• ‘I accept that all that has come before has created this loving opportunity now.’

• ‘I trust you will provide the answers you need in the right timing.

Today, I choose to continue to focus on living unconditional love to the best of my ability - especially in my relationship with myself, and that is enough.

With infinite love and blessings

Michelle x

Michelle Cowles

Spiritual Leader/Teacher/Learner

Copyright Michelle Cowles 2024

Disclaimer: The information on this page is general, lifestyle information and should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. If this article raises mental health issues, please contact your General Practitioner, mental health worker, or Lifeline on 13 11 14 (Australia) OR find support by country at www.helpguide.org.