Being in the very heart of the holiday season, I wanted to share some thoughts and feelings about love. Now, I know the subject of love may be difficult to embrace for one with our past and present emotional experience; however I’m suggesting we sufficiently open our hearts and minds and give it a go.
I absolutely believe in the power of love. And that comes from someone who’s experienced the frustration of needing and wanting it so much, yet finding it so far away. One of the best ways I know to feel incredibly good about self, and life in general, is to participate in love. And, of course, that always means giving and receiving. Conversely, one can be assured of feeling all the more cold and alone in love’s absence.
So as I traverse what can be an incredibly difficult path in this world, I’ve come to welcome the opportunity to surround myself with love’s natural warmth and fulfillment.
Now, I’m single and don’t have a significant other in my life just now; so the potential for some very alone and lonely times is always there. And that’s okay on occasion. But every so often it gets kind of old, and when I reconnect with my teenage children the chill of emotional isolation goes right down the drain.
I’ve come to know just how good it feels to be in the company of those I love and who freely and unconditionally love me in return.
So if you’re experiencing an emotional void in your life, especially during this holiday season, I’m suggesting you extend your hand and heart to someone and see if it doesn’t pull you out of your circumstances, not to mention make you feel extraordinarily special. Truly open yourself to extending your love, and to be loved in return. I firmly believe its warmth will provide incredible comfort, and I deeply believe it will naturally bring good things to your life.
And don’t forget to love and embrace one very worthy and special person…that would be you. Because if you can’t truly love and care for yourself it’s going to be kind of tough to love and care for others. And from a mental and emotional health management perspective, what motivation is there to carry on if self-love doesn’t exist? I, for one, am just not convinced the full effort will be there.
Now, I know at times we may not believe there’s a whole lot to love when we look in the mirror or think about ourselves. And given what we’ve endured over the years I don’t suppose that’s hard to understand. But I do suppose we can be held accountable for what we’re doing about it.
Rest assured, we’re most worthy of receiving all the love in the world from ourselves, as well as from those who want to send it our way.
So it’s only a matter of accepting it…and giving it back.
After a winning bout with panic disorder, a career in the business world, and a part-time job working with socially challenged adolescents, Bill found his life's passion and work. So he earned his master's degree and counseling credentials, and is doing all he can to lend a hand to those having a tough time.
Bill has some powerful mentoring and service packages available on his panicattackology blog, which include his panic attack education and recovery eWorkbook, "Panic! ...and Poetic Justice." The eWorkbook is ready for immediate download, along with a dynamic panic attack and anxiety recovery audio series. Lots of good stuff going on and much more to come.
In addition to doing psychiatric emergency work, Bill continues to do a lot of writing and speaking. He's conducted numerous mental health workshops for non-profit organizations and remains available to present more. Bill is a national and local member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (N.A.M.I.).