True partnership

In a true partnership, the kind worth striving for, the kind worth insisting on, and even, frankly, worth divorcing over, both people try to give as much or even a little more than they get. "Deserves" is not the point. And "owes" is certainly not the point. The pont is to make the other person as happy as we can, because their happiness adds to ours. The point is -- in the right hands, everything that you give, you get.
The chance to love and be loved exists no matter where you are.

Being heard is so close to being loved that for the average person they are almost indistinguishable.

All intimacy is rare -- that's what makes it precious. And it involves the revelation of one's self and the loving gaze upon another's true self (no makeup, no fancy car, no defensive charm, no seduction) -- that's what makes it so damn hard. Intimacy requires honesty and kindness in almost equal measure (a little more kindness, I think), trust and trustworthiness, forgiveness and the capacity to be forgiven . . . It's more than worth it -- just don't let them tell you it's bilss.

The moment we choose to love we begin to move against domination, against oppression. The moment we choose to love we begin to move towards freedom, to act in ways that liberate ourselves and others. That action is the testimony of love as the practice of freedom.

Love sometimes wants to do us a great favor: hold us upside down and shake all the nonsense out.

We are
People who need to love, because
Love is the soul's life,
Love is simply creation's greatest joy.

We don't need sugar, flour or rice or anything else. We just want to see our dear ones.

You can't punish yourself into change. You can't whip yourself into shape. But you can love yourself into well-being.

It doesn't matter how long we may have been stuck in a sense of our limitations. If we go into a darkened room and turn on the light, it doesn't matter if the room has been dark for a day, a week, or ten thousand years -- we turn on the light and it is illuminated. Once we control our capacity for love and happiness, the light has been turned on.

To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.

Loving-kindness and compassion are the basis for wise, powerful, sometimes gentle, and sometimes fierce actions that can really make a difference -- in our own lives and those of others.

Pursue some path, however narrow and crooked, in which you can walk with love and reverence.

There is always something left to love. And if you ain't learned that, you ain't learned nothing.

The ultimate lesson all of us have to learn is unconditional love, which includes not only others but ourselves as well.

I don't like to discuss my marriage, but I will tell you something which may sound corny but which happens to be true. I have steak at home. Why should I go out for hamburger?

True love stories never have endings.

Love is the whole history of a woman's life, it is but an episode in a man's.

Love is more than a noun -- it is a verb; it is more than a feeling -- it is caring, sharing, helping, sacrificing.

Even after all this time,

We are told that people stay in love because of chemistry, or because they remain intrigued with each other, because of many kindnesses, because of luck. But part of it has got to be forgiveness and gratefulness.
he sun never says to the earth,
"You owe me."
Look what happens with
A love like that.
It lights the whole sky. 

Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver.

I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you. I love you not only for what you have made of yourself, but for what you are making of me. I love you for the part of me that you bring out.

The modern fairy tale ending is the reverse of the traditional one: A woman does not wait for Prince Charming to bring her happiness; she lives happily ever after only by refusing to wait for him -- or by actually rejecting him. It is those who persist in hoping for a Prince Charming who are setting themselves up for disillusionment and unhappiness.

We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.

Love life and life will love you back. Love people and they will love you back.

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 evil, but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.

 

  

Thank You, My Love

Dear ________,I just wanted to thank you! You know I don't think you realize how much you inspire me. I am so proud of the person you've become and are becoming. I understand you've been through a lot and you've made not the best of choices, but I can see that you have grown.Though truthfully I've always known from the very first time I met you to now, that you were a strong person.You are so full of wisdom about life that when you speak it really makes me think that I could stay there forever just to listen to your open mind, for it is peaceful and inviting.Andreas, you have become my awakening, you have helped me see things in a brighter way, In a happier, enlightening way. For I was once drowning from my own fears, completely cynical about love, about hope and security. I used to think that no one understood me and could ever.Then one day before I knew you personally, you flew into my thoughts and at that moment though I wasn't truly sure why you were there. Suddenly I felt reassured and a smile was brought to my heart. Somehow I believe deep down I knew I loved you then.When I got to know you a year later I realized I wasn't alone and that something inside of you was hurting similar to what constantly brought tears to my eyes. I went through a time in my life where I felt worthless unloved, continuously searching for happiness. I wasn't getting along with my family, and my friends were all hating each other, leaving me stuck in the middle, stressfully trying to pull things together.But, you made me laugh and forget everything that was going on. That year you became my escape, my survival. I don't think I could of made it through that year as strong as I did if you weren't in my life.Andreas, I thank you for all the fun times we spent together even if they were short lived. Now over the years I have come to this conclusion you must have been an angel sent by God to help me grieve and become a strong willed woman because no one has ever been able to help me see the light. Clouds of darkness shadowed over me no matter what any other soul would say, but you make me smile with just your presence.You don't have to say a word; everything's okay when you're beside me. You know I thank God every day for the amazing people he has brought into my life because each and every one of them has changed my life in a very beautiful dramatic way.And I believe people are brought into your life for a reason, a way in which to guide you and help you see yourself. I like to call all those wonderful people my angels, my earthly angels. Andreas, you are one, and I thank you once again from the bottom of my heart. And though we may never be, just know you will always live in my heart.
Love always