Updated December 29, 2009
 www.lovecounts.net

I went down to the water this morning with coffee in hand and, as thoughts will, one thought led to another until I came to the question of how I really measure other people’s truth and, for that matter, how I measure my own.  What I realized is that I always look beyond the words to how closely a person, including myself, is aligned in their conduct and attitudes to “what love does”.

When I listen to other people and ‘hear’ anger, resentment, jealousy, intolerance, and hatred I know, no matter what their words are, that they have not found Truth.  Because Truth is always demonstrated in the attitudes and actions of the kind of love defined so well in these words:

Love is patient; love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude; it is not self-seeking.
It is not easily angered; it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in wrong, but rejoices in the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.
Love never fails.

A number of years ago I caught the vision contained in these words.  I understood that living the truth behind the words had the power to move a person into another dimension of living.  At first it was an impossible dream.  I didn’t see how anyone could be all these things and still be human.  But over time, and it took many years, I paid more and more attention to my thoughts and emotions, and, by consistently and consciously measuring every emotion and attitude against the truth of what love is, I changed.  Obviously, I do not live it perfectly, but to the extent I do live it, I benefit from its fruits of love, peace, harmony, joy, goodness, and freedom.

I have spoken so often about finding my purpose in life.  I realize, in writing these words out that, while the symphony of my life is yet to be written, I already know the underlying rhythm.  It is sharing through words and action the vision of what love is, what it should be.  The words of a scripture come to mind:  “Let your Light so shine that other people seeing it will want it for themselves.”

As so often happens when I sit down to share thoughts, I started out with one thought and something entirely different emerged.  I am so very humbled and in awe of the blessings that come my way.  My soul has been lifted, my spirit renewed, and I am so very grateful.