7 Ways To Live In Love, Every Day!

Love connects us

Just the other day, on a warm afternoon, my husband and I were sitting outside having lunch at a local delicatessen when a man in his forties, wearing a gray shirt with his company’s logo, asked if he could join us. He pointed to a bracelet around his left wrist that read, “I’m vaccinated.” We’re vaccinated, too, my husband said. He and his 15-year-old daughter sat across from us, unwrapped their sandwiches, and we all had lunch together, talking and eating out in the fresh air. At first, I felt myself freeze inside after so many months of Covid worries, but then I reminded myself that we were fine, and opened my heart to the present moment. It was pleasant to chit-chat with strangers, and enjoy a few moments of connection. I truly believe that an attitude and stance of love can help us move forward out of the paralyzing fear of the pandemic, and into a sense of greater trust in the present moment.

In my new book, The Divine Heart, I talk about love as a dynamic relationship that is always growing, expanding and unfolding, and that empowers us to face our current challenges:  We must ask ourselves, “How can I bring love forward and be a part of the healing process?” With a grateful heart, (a great full heart, as Kristi Nelson, executive director of Gratefulness.org often says) we can trust that the more we choose the path of love, the more we will be a part of the way forward. 

This is a good moment to connect to the abundance of love, to its energy, and strength, and kindness, and to remember that we’re capable of growing in love. I experienced that all year with my students, each of them a gift to me with their open-heartedness, curious minds, and playful intimacy. As we embark on this collective journey from fear back to love, can we offer each other inspiration and encouragement along the way? Hope is knocking on our door, and love is waiting. Let us welcome it in and rebuild our sense of community together with love.

7 Ways to Live in Love, Every Day!

Love is the most generous and healing energy we experience as human beings. When we’re anchored in the source of love, we can find a way to move forward with greater happiness and hope. 

1. Find Quiet Moments 

Find quiet moments throughout the day to drop into the depth of the love that holds and sustains us. Pause and take a few deep breaths. Breathe in the energy of love and then breathe out the energy of love. 

2. Practice Listening

Listen to yourself or someone else with a compassionate and caring heart. Listening is everything—give yourself and others the space to truly be heard. Being heard is healing, so don’t feel like you have to rush in and give advice or try to fix anything. 

3. Delight in the Joys of Nature

Notice the gifts of nature that are all around us—the surprise of new buds, the singing of the birds, the cool breeze of the ocean air. Pay attention to how you can water the seeds of joy in your life and the lives of others, even during difficult times.

 

4. Be Kind to Yourself and Others

Practice the gentleness of acceptance and enfold yourself with love, whatever you may be feeling, right now. Place your hand over your heart and breathe in compassion for yourself and others, remembering that most of us are feeling some level of stress and strain these days. 

5. Cultivate Gratitude

Remember to find gratitude for all that is sustaining and supporting you, even in the midst of fear and loss. You may want to start your day with a simple expression of gratitude by saying, “I am thankful for this new day.” During the day, make a habit of noticing the things you are grateful for.

6. Nurture Your Heart

Identify what can anchor you in your heart during these uncertain and shifting times—is it being in nature, finding moments of peace in meditation or prayer, talking to someone you trust? You could make a list of these to help you remember. 

7. Value Connection

During this last year, we’ve come to realize how important connection is for our well-being. Find ways to stay connected to life by interacting with people, animals, and nature. Share a meal with the people you live with, spend time in nature, or connect with your pets. Recognize how interconnected we all are with each other and with all of creation. 

Colette Lafia is a San Francisco based writer, a spiritual counselor, and an international retreat leader. In addition to The Divine Heart, she is the author of Seeking Surrender: How My Friendship with a Trappist Monk Taught Me to Trust and Embrace Life, and Comfort and Joy: Simple Ways to Care for Ourselves and Others, named one of the top spiritual books of the year.  Visit https://colettelafia.com/ Follow @ColetteLafia