Of course you want to be loved, but do you allow people to love you? That sounds weird, right? Why wouldn’t you let folks love you. Sometimes it’s harder than you realize, because sometimes people can’t love you the way that you need to be loved. Or perhaps you don’t feel like you DESERVE the gift of love that others have to give.
While I haven’t personally read it, I understand that the program The 5 Love Languages addresses the idea that we each love in a different way. Primarily their programs deal with marital relationships, but I am talking about everyday relationships, personal and not so personal.
For instance, my awesome Mother-In-Law, who I simply call MOM, needs to feed us. If we come over and she’s not out in the garden, the first thing she wants to do is go and fix us something to eat. It’s her way of loving us. Yes, that’s part MOM, but really it’s how she loves at her core when you’re in her home. It took a long time for me to simply accept that Mom doesn’t just want to do this, she NEEDS to do this, to show love. AND that I need to ALLOW it when I can. She needs to give that love sometimes more than I need to receive it. Deep fried egg rolls are not really in my “healthy eating plan”, but sometimes I just have to take it for the team 😉
Other folks show love in different ways. It could be with time, or gifts, or a facebook note, or listening, or offering advice. And it may not be the way that “YOU NEED”, so how do you accept their love?
Sometimes it’s hard to accept the HELP … or … LOVE that others want to give.
Now don’t misunderstand, I don’t mean taking advantage of someone. I mean truly allowing them to love you in the best way they know how.
Next time BEFORE YOU turn down an offer of love, of help, of assistance, think about what you actually may be taking away from the giver. Because they just want to love you, and it would be really great for both of you if you’d just let them. Say yes, don’t push that love away.