Welcome to Connections2Excellence! This week begins a series on desired qualities. Faith Connection Friday extends the concept and relates to faith. Thank you so much for visiting!
Love. It’s warm and fuzzy. It’s babies and sweet cuddles. It’s first love. It’s passion. It’s heartache in time of loss. It’s releasing our children to start their own lives. It’s letting go of loved ones. It’s wishing the best for others. It’s seeing the best in others. It’s allowing others to mess up so we can encourage them to get up and try again. And so much more. Love.
How would you define love? Is this a characteristic you desire to see in yourself and in others?
Merriam-Webster defines love as “unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another.” This is putting others’ needs above my own. It means sacrificing myself. It is a commitment to others and their best.
What does this look like in our daily lives?
It may be easier to express love within the home. We give hugs and write love notes … just because. Sometimes, it is easier to deny ourselves so we can watch others thrive. We encourage our children to do their best in school. We may say “no” to protect them. We may say “wait” until the timing is right. We may give them a choice and watch them grow if it was the wrong one.
It may be harder to express love outside the home. For example, it can be awkward thinking of loving others at work, especially if there are challenging relationships. We may expect leaders to exercise love, to see the best in people, and to help others reach their potential. We may expect our coworkers to be team players and supportive. What if they do not? It remains my choice to be the best support and coworker. It remains my choice to show love and to be a person of love.
It may be difficult expressing love to those in the community. We all have bad days in which we are stressed or do not feel well and take it out on anyone who comes into our presence. If we are on the receiving end, we can still show love with a smile or a “Thank you.” Our response can make their day.
What does this have to do with love? Everything. Love your family and your coworkers, community, clients, patients, or students. Love calls you to do what you do—to be your best.
If you want to be the best [spouse, friend, worker, etc.], then start being your best today for them. Start today developing the traits of the person you want to become for them.
As mentioned earlier, love is unselfish concern for others. Therefore, if we focus on self and what we can get, it is not true love. Love is an action and an attitude of humility.
Our Connections Challenge: Who do you interact with every day? Some relationships are easy, and some relationships are difficult. What are some ways you can show love? What traits can be developed so you are the best for them? Put one or more into practice this week, and watch everyone thrive!
Connections2Excellence 