Koda's Corners
What Does it Mean to Love Unconditionally?
Love is a very powerful word, but what does it actually mean? How do we love, absolutely unconditionally? Is it actually possible? And who do we love absolutely unconditionally?
There is a great book called Ask and it is Given where an emotionally scale is given. At the bottom are words like grief, anger, sadness, and at the top is the most powerful emotion – Love. Synonyms for love are appreciation, gratitude, bliss, joy, empowerment, freedom, and knowledge. How is knowledge a synonym for love? It’s an interesting question, but I instantly think of our dogs. They have absolute knowledge that they love their humans, unconditionally. Dogs don’t hold grudges, dogs don’t hang on to past events.
I have accidently stepped on my dogs paw, he yelps, then the next moment he is back to loving me. This is the meaning of unconditional love. Us humans have a lot we can learn for this example. Can you think of a memory that you are holding on to, maybe from your childhood, where you are still holding a grudge on someone? The funniest thing about this is the other person probably doesn’t even know we are mad at them!
I’m reminded of a story of a man who was angry at his neighbor for 9 years over his mailbox being blocked when he first moved in. He eventually decided to confront the situation with his neighbor and when he brought up the incident, the neighbor had no recollection of the incident, and assumed they had a great relationship since they always smiled and waved and were very cordial. Imagine that, one person was holding a grudge over something the other person didn’t even remember!
This is the skill of the dog. The dog gets his paw stepped on by the foot of a human, and the next moment is licking his facing and loving unconditionally. We all have a lot to learn from this.
The person who has known unconditional love is fortunate, and the person who gives unconditional love, to everyone, without exception, is a rare but awesome being. There is a law of cause and effect, what you put out you will get back. The more love you put out, the more love must come back to you, is it a wonder that dogs receive so much love!?
The next time you get angry with a situation or person, ask yourself what your dog would do…the dog would give unconditional love, and it is my absolute belief that when we do the same, we better the world. <3
