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| The art of loving |
The practice of any art requires knowledge. By virtue of the fact you are
reading this article, assumes that you are seeking knowledge about the art of
loving. The reason we are reading is quite simple: we are seeking more
knowledge about love and relationships. It's very apparent, from the number of
seminars, tapes, videos, and books available, that there is need for this type
of knowledge.
Take responsibility for your own education. Participating in a seminar or
workshop, reading a book, and even reading this article is a gesture of loving
yourself. Just do not forget that knowledge acquisition is a continuous
process; it does not stop after one or two seminars, or after reading a few
books. It takes effort to gain the knowledge you need. You just may feel
inspired, with new ideas on life, love, and relationships. It's up to you to
put in the effort to incorporate these ideas into your life and to keep them
alive. It's not going to be easy-- it's going to require hard work and effort.
You cannot change life-long habits overnight. Somehow, with the pace of life
and the conveniences we now have, we have come to expect things to happen
instantly. Improving our relationships and ourselves is about changing old
habits, some of which we have had since childhood. These changes do not occur
instantly, but require continuous effort over time.
What does "effort" mean, when it comes to loving? Effort is time and action.
When you get up tomorrow morning, take the time to ask yourself: How can I be
more loving to myself today? How can I give more love to my partner? What
action can I take to give love today? Use your imagination to come up with
creative ways of showing love for yourself and others. Take the time to follow
through with your thoughts and put them into action. It's the little continuous
gestures of love that count. Having a bubble bath, making yourself a special
dinner, taking a mental health day from work, sleeping in, taking a drive in
the country, spending time at a hobby, curling up with a good book, or
attending a workshop or seminar are gestures of loving yourself. You can give
love to your partner in many little ways, too: a telephone call during the day
to say, "Hi, how are you? I was thinking about you," bringing home a single
flower or a little gift, going for an evening walk together, giving spontaneous
hugs, holding hands, giving a back rub, showering together, reading aloud to
one another, or leaving a little love note on the bathroom mirror... the list
goes on and on. All it takes is imagination. The possibilities are endless. Its
just taking the time for each other, talking during the day, and expanding your
knowledge about one another that's important.
We will never know everything. That is the beauty of life, and, more
importantly, that is the beauty of love -- for they are really both one in the
same. Remember it all starts with you. Take the time to expand your knowledge
of love, and practice The Art of Loving, always, to create the loving life you
deserve.
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