Love More Deeply: mini-mission
This mini-mission, like most, is about mindfulness and intention. When I wrote Lessons from Love and Marriage, I realized that the biggest rewards I receive in my relationships are from the smallest loving shifts.
In our hurried lives, we often take for granted the people that are closest to us. We sometimes forget about the people in the world who live without love and we rarely take the time to love ourselves. Instead, we tell ourselves how we could do better, or beat ourselves up for not being the person we want to be.
This mini-mission does not require you to give anymore of yourself than you already do. It just invites you to give in a different way.
With awareness and attention, more love is yours for the giving and the receiving. By just shifting our intentions, we can love more deeply. It doesn’t take extra effort, just a re-direction of energy.
Shift your energy
- from being right to being quiet.
- from being annoyed to being grateful.
- from being angry to being joyful.
- from being rushed to taking time.
- from eye roll to hug.
- from scowl to smile.
Chances are, you are already a loving person, but don’t always have the time and attention to speak, act or be the way you inherently are. You can apply this mini-mission in a marriage or any loving relationship. Love God, children, pets, parents, friends, siblings, yourself, a neighbor, or a stranger.
Here is your 3 part mini-mission:
- Speak with love
- Act with love
- Be with love
Keep in mind that you do not have to be in the right mood, or even feel loving to practice love. Notice how you feel speaking with love, acting with love and being with love. Notice how much more love there is in your life, when you practice these simple shifts.
How will you love more deeply?
Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, please subscribe to Be More with Less & share on twitter.
32 Responses to “Love More Deeply: mini-mission”
Comments
Read below or add a comment...
please comment
subscribe your way:
-
Courtney, you are so wise. I look forward to reading your writings, knowing that I always get a reminder or learn something new. Thank you!
Meg B. So glad you are learning new things here. I am learning right along with you!
I want to listen more. Sometimes all I think about is what I’m going to add to a conversation, or sadly, what I’m going to say to refute the other person’s words. I want to listen more to show my love.
Listening is an AWESOME way to show love. Don’t be afraid of silence either. Sometimes that’s when the magic happens.
I want to act with more patience. I know that I’m impatient at times and that sometimes, I just need to take a deep breath and slow down, stop worrying and love more.
Thanh, that is a great way to express your love. If you are patient with people, that screams “I LOVE YOU!”
Funny you should write about this after I’ve just done a lot of thinking and attitude-shifting along the same lines. Great post, excellent mission.
Thanks Meg. Glad we are on the same path.
I’m a new reader here and I have to say, I love the idea of mini-missions.
Physiology is super important here. Like you say, you don’t have to be in the right mood, but making the decision to proceed with love anyway, and smiling as you do it, will quickly change your mood. At least for myself, I find that to be the case.
Jason, It works for me too!
Wonderful post and reminders. Words to truly live by. Thank you.
Thanks Shannon. I’m glad you liked it!
Hi Courtney,
I wouldn’t call this a mini-mission. It is full on, and you can count me in. Speak with love, act with love, be with love. You have covered it all. Thank you for this simple, clear call to action.
Gail – Glad you are on board. I knew you would be!
Very well said Courtney! Its all about compassion for the other person.
Renee – Compassion is one of my favorite qualities in others. Compassion always = love.
Thanks for yet another thought provoking post. Simple yet powerful!
Thanks Jenny. I have to keep it simple to stick with it!
Courtney,
The 2 things I want to focus on are being quiet instead of being right and taking my time instead of being rushed.
Cool as this kinda goes with my most recent post!
http://livingthebalancedlife.com/2010/focus-on-be-ing/
Bernice
Bernice, It’s so easy to want to settle the score or have the last word. Being quiet and letting go can be much more challenging but it also speaks to what is really important – respect, compassion and love.
“In our hurried lives, we often take for granted the people that are closest to us.” – that is very often my problem. So after a very stressful day, I got heard from my girlfriend: “I am your friend, not your enemy!”
That is because I am not often able to switch from work with angry, to home with love!
I try to change that, like you say!
Hope I was understandable.
love regards
Matthias
Matthias, This was very understandable and I am sure a lot of us can relate. Your girlfriend sounds pretty smart!
Yes, she is. And that is one side I love on her!
And she ist able to give me my smile back after a very stressful day! I am very happy and thankful for that!
What are you doing after a stressful day?
Yoga or Wine!
Hey Courtney—
This can be tough but absolutely necessary.
I know I roll my eyes at my fiancee.
I know I try to be right instead of quiet.
I know I am rushed all the time.
I know there are no excuses for such.
I am trying to be a better being. I think become a better being is what we should strive for. Not just better people, but better to others and our environment. The love more deeply mission is not one of just person to person but being to being.
David Damron
LifeExcursion
David, All I can say about your admissions is “Ditto!” We are all guilty of it at some point or another. Working to be better is what it is all about. When we are perfect…it’s over.
Mini mission, maximum impact. Your words resonate such simple love Courtney and your messages are infused with only the best motivation and guidance. I adore the gentleness in this post yet alos with a power and energy to weave magic love spells in life. On Thnanksgiving I offer my thanks for your constant giving of all that’s special in life on this blog. Your words and sentiments DO make all the difference!
John – coming from you, this means so much. Thank you.
Courtney,
Every time I read one of your posts I think, ‘my God She knows…’
I find you inspiring and reassuring. I have been passing on your posts to my friends all over the world. One thing about the above post impressed me so much that I took it and put it on my refrigerator, and in my office… Shift your energy and 3 part mini mission… I want to use it on my blog and wanted to ask you for permission. Could you let me know if it’s ok? http://www.sedefscorner.wordpress.com.