This is a difficult blog to write because my heart was heavy this week. I struggled over what to write in light of so much pain and divisiveness is in our country. In the end, I decided it was best to be true to my ideals and draw from that which I know, my faith.

Today I want to talk about how to operate from love. What does this even mean? I’ve had a week to pontificate this concept and to read, research and look within for the answer. The choice to operate from love is not an easy one to apply to your life. So I know that this week’s post is going to be a challenge for all of us. I see so many people in our country in pain and operating in a climate of fear. Their fear drives them to do and say so many destructive things to one another. Its truly is sad. As I mentioned before I read the comments on the blogs sometimes. I am frequently appalled by the level of hate and fear that is evidenced there. No more so than this past month after the acquittal of the police officer (verdict from the Zimmerman trial). My blog is not about that specific grand jury verdict the trial, there is much already said about this topic and everyone has an opinion. My blog is about how we can operate from love which is so much more healing to your soul.

God is Love. When you understand that God is love and we are one with God, it is a lot easier to operate under this concept. God is not separate from us, He is a part of us. He created us because He loved us so. “Love is changless and therefore so are you. Nothing that you have ever done or will ever do can mar your perfection in the eyes of God. You’re deserving in His eyes because of what you are, not because of what you do. What you do or don’t do is not what determines your essential value–your growth perhaps, but not your value. That’s why God is totally approving and accepting of you, exactly as you are. You were not created in sin; you were created in love” (Marianne Williamson, Return to Love, p.30). When we understand this concept it can truly transform your life.

Surrender to God. Allow God to take the wheel in your life. When we realize that even the best laid plans can go awry it becomes very clear that you have no control of what happens in this life, or the universe for that matter. Everything that happens is not being orchestrated by you, no matter what you may think. When you surrender something amazing happens, you allow your life to be guided by God’s amazing power. I was reminded of a wonderful hymn called “I Give Myself Away”.  It is all about surrender and allowing God to use your life. Does surrender mean that you give up and do nothing? No, it means that you turn your burderns, pains, desires, woes, everything over to God. As a single mother, trying to raise my two sons without a father, I surrender often. I don’t know how I would be able to guide their lives if I did not allow God to take the lead in my life. My surrender allows God to know that I need help and it is miraculous what God is doing in my sons lives. I am witnessing what God can do when you lean on him. Surrender means that once you release it, you don’t worry, or think about it again. You experience the joy in your life knowing that it will be taken care of. Allow Him to take the lead in your life and watch what happens!!

Watch your EGO. The definition of ego that I choose to use is edging God out. When you allow your ego to lead, you leave room for nothing else to occupy the space in your life. It makes you selfish, greedy, manipulative, judgmental, and ignorant. I am sure there are other adjectives. Many people operate from ego and it often leads to their demise, I have never seen a case, where they end up living happy and fulfilled lives. Maybe there is some short-term glory but it is never sustainable. It’s a very isolating place to be. Think about some of these ego driven statements.

• I was born with talents and gifts so that I can show the world how great I am.
• I have put in the hard work and I deserve the financial rewards that are now coming my way.
• I changed the course of my life because I worked hard and I deserve it.
• I don’t need a man or partner in my life, there isn’t anything they can do for me that I can’t do for myself.
• I don’t need to partner with my ex-husband in raising my children, he is an idiot, I know what is best for my children.

On the surface these seem harmless, because who doesn’t value hard work, being blessed financially, talent, independece, self-sufficency and strength? But when you dig deeper you see that all of these statements put emphasis on self and none on the role that the Supreme plays in helping to guide you to everything that is a part of your life, every blessing. When you leave your ego aside you are free to just experience all that God has for you, which is unlimited. I say this in the kindest way and with the best of intentions, you are not all that!!  By this I mean that none of us is equipped to operate in this universe without each other, we are interdependent. The athlete is not great unless others acknowledge his talent and support and cheer for him. He could be talented but if no coach recognized it or gave him a platform to display his talent, his talent would go unnoticed. Remember Lucifer was the most beautiful and regarded angel in Heaven before he fell due to his ego.

Conquer your fears. This one is the hardest and requires the most work. It’s a sad fact that most people operate out of fear. It’s what drives them to do so many hurtful things to others and the themselves. I have operated out of fear many times and it was destructive to my spirit and life. Afraid to take chances because of what others would say, afraid to do something that I know would bring me joy because it didn’t gel with what others thought I should do. As I became conscious of this fact I can now make the choice to operate from love.

Fear is diminishing, minimizing, limiting, painful, etc. I can’t think of one good thing that comes from fear. Do you know what you are afraid of? Ask yourself this, what’s the worst thing that can happen if you confront this fear? I say free yourself, rid yourself of the burden of fear and return to love.

Have faith. Faith is believing in what is even when you don’t see any evidence of it. I know that God is, even though I can’t see Him. I witness His hand in my life daily. He gives me grace daily. Faith has two components:

• being certain of reality and having evidence of things unseen, and
• believing, hoping, and embracing the truth

On the surface faith seems silly, especially to logical, thinking, intelligent beings. Science tells us that you can only believe that which you can prove from your hypothesis. Well you can’t prove faith, it just exists. Faith is something that you cannot see.

Think about this… you can’t see love, yet you know it exists. You feel it. You seen the demonstrative manifestation of love in so many ways. A mother as she cares for her child or a husband for his ailing wife. It is a part of what we know we need to survive. Babies are born desiring touch and love in order to flourish. Faith is much the same. Some things are illogical that’s what makes them so powerful!

Think carefully before responding in anger. Many people will push your buttons. You have the choice about how your respond. Instinctively you will want to lash out but think carefully about how this will help the situation. I am not requiring you to lie down and allow people to disrespect you in any way but when you respond do so calmly and with grace and class, never going down to their level to respond. As you mature you will find that you don’t need to respond to everyone, some aren’t even worth a response because their ignorance is too overwhelming and they are not open to learning. Use your time, passion, and intelligence to create change and to elevate any conversation in a positive direction where there are solutions.

I hope you will chose to operate from love. It is a practice that will create so much joy in your life and allow you to truly experience all that God has in store for you. Even if you struggle with your faith, try to love more, surrender all, watch your ego, have faith, and control your anger which will enable you to witness the amazing things that are about to happen in your life!