Almost two years ago I was on retreat, the focus of the retreat was about manifesting the divine in your daily life - making it real/concrete not just an abstraction or an image that someone else said the divine was. On the second day, Taj the leader of the retreat read to us a number of responses from children answering the question, "What is Love."
A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to
8 year-olds, "What does love mean?" The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. See what you think:
"When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different.
You just know that your name is safe in their mouth."
Billy - age 4
"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired."
Terri - age 4
"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop
opening presents and listen."
Bobby - age 7
"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still
friends even after they know each other so well."
Tommy - age 6
"If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate,"
Nikka - age 6
This morning I found the list again, the ones above are some of my favorites. Each answer reminds me of how naturally our hearts, our observations, our being present happens as children. Imagine being 4 or 6 or 8 again - what would you say is love?
I'll start
"Love is when your Gramma lets you play on the floor with her most special elephants." MaryAlice age 6
"Love is when your Auntie holds you in her arms, and just lets you be there after everything gets quiet and still."
MaryAlice age 8
"Love is when your Mom jumps in the leaf pile with their kid, and gives you a big big leaf hug."
MaryAlice age 4
That was more fun and easier than I thought it would be, one could just keep going. I feel more awake, lighter, have activated love memories. I bet it is even good for your immune system.
I'm going to ask my friend Jane to be a kid tonight and talk about what love is, as we watch the last presidential debate.
Have a good day....keep those love thoughts going.
A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to
8 year-olds, "What does love mean?" The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. See what you think:
"When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different.
You just know that your name is safe in their mouth."
Billy - age 4
"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired."
Terri - age 4
"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop
opening presents and listen."
Bobby - age 7
"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still
friends even after they know each other so well."
Tommy - age 6
"If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate,"
Nikka - age 6
This morning I found the list again, the ones above are some of my favorites. Each answer reminds me of how naturally our hearts, our observations, our being present happens as children. Imagine being 4 or 6 or 8 again - what would you say is love?
I'll start
"Love is when your Gramma lets you play on the floor with her most special elephants." MaryAlice age 6
"Love is when your Auntie holds you in her arms, and just lets you be there after everything gets quiet and still."
MaryAlice age 8
"Love is when your Mom jumps in the leaf pile with their kid, and gives you a big big leaf hug."
MaryAlice age 4
That was more fun and easier than I thought it would be, one could just keep going. I feel more awake, lighter, have activated love memories. I bet it is even good for your immune system.
I'm going to ask my friend Jane to be a kid tonight and talk about what love is, as we watch the last presidential debate.
Have a good day....keep those love thoughts going.
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