Love and Commitment

Taken from: http://www.dailyom.com 
Emphasis is mine.

February 16, 2015
The Journey of Commitment
Entering into Commitment

by Madisyn Taylor

Loving and committing to another person is a spiritual process whether it involves a wedding or any other type of commitment ceremony. Often when we enter into a relationship, we allow our emotions to lead us forward without thinking more deeply about what true commitment involves. 

If we can understand that sharing our lives with another person is not just based on love but also on the hard work of being able to compromise and enter into a dialogue with them, then we are much more likely to find the key to having a successful relationship with our partners. 

So many people have not experienced a loving relationship between their own parents and therefore have no role model of what love should feel like or look like.

Many of us have been exposed to the idea that love should be romantic and sweep us off our feet. While this is a natural part of any relationship, the true test of our love comes from our willingness to explore this world with another person; to not only share in the delights that we encounter but also to negotiate the bumps in the road together. 

Generally this often takes the form of a mutual exchange of ideas, but because any relationship is based on the needs and experiences of two people, we might also face a certain amount of misunderstanding. Learning to be open and receptive to our partners and to treat their wants and ideas with respect can help us navigate even the most difficult situations. 

One way to do this is to take a deep breath, holding our partner in a space of love, and allow ourselves to listen fully with our hearts to what they have to say. Should this become difficult to do, we can also turn toward people whose relationships we admire for advice or guidance. Knowing that there are resources out there to help us and being up for exploring them with our partner will only serve to deepen and strengthen our relationship.

Entering into a committed relationship is in fact a spiritual journey that we undertake with another person. By being able to love and care for someone else with an open heart, we will find that we can reach a greater level of personal transformation, evolving along our path and learning powerful lessons about ourselves that we might not otherwise be able to do on our own.

The Journey Downward

From: Pema Chödrön at Shambhala
http://www.shambhala.com/contact-us

• Spiritual awakening is frequently described as a journey to the top of a mountain. In the process of discovering bodhichitta [the awakened heart], the journey goes down, not up. It’s as if the mountain pointed toward the center of the earth instead of reaching into the sky. Instead of transcending the suffering of all creatures, we move toward the turbulence and doubt. We explore the reality and unpredictability of insecurity and pain, and we try not to push it away. If it takes years, if it takes lifetimes, we let it be as it is. At our own pace, without speed or aggression, we move down and down and down. With us move millions of others, our companions in awakening from fear. At the bottom we discover water, the healing water of bodhichitta. Right down there in the thick of things, we discover the love that will not die. 

Daily Affirmations

You may have seen these quotes from Abraham-Hicks before on my blog. Our nephew Mark Jr turned me on to them and for the most part I find them helpful in my day to day dealing with living with my life-partner who is living with Alzheimer's Disease. Sometimes they are hard to "translate" to our situation but it is always interesting to try, especially with the help of our niece Colleen. This one provides an interesting perspective. If you want to check out Abraham-Hicks, click here.

http://www.abraham-hicks.com/lawofattractionsource/index.php

Silence

Today's Daily Word addresses something I continue to work on in my relationship with Gregory. In an effort to "be his words, be his story, support his actions" I find that I continue to jump in too soon. If given a enough time, if given silence, he often is able to formulate his words or work out an action on his own.

In an effort to protect him, often I jump in too soon and often my help only serves to distract and confuse him. Often it frustrates and angers me. It is painful for me to watch him struggle, especially when I can tell from his face and from his posture that he is indeed struggling. Even more difficult is that when he cannot come up with what he was trying to say or do, he is not able to move to "Can you help me?" Just silence. Painful silence. So often I have to jump in.

Another situation that I continue to work at monitoring is "When do I need to correct him?" The guideline is "Are babies dying?" Translated this means does the fact that he is not doing something correctly matter? Is he in danger? If not, I try to say nothing. Silence. But often I am already giving feedback when I realize to late, "Not necessary." Silence would have been better.

So recently, after I "mess up" I repeat silently to myself, "Say nothing. Do nothing. Say nothing. Do nothing." Besides helping me calm down I am trying to bring my actions to a higher conscious level so I do not react, but rather act ahead of time. Act before I speak.

At the same time I am carrying on an argument with myself because at times I must "Say something. Do something." It is not fair to him or to myself to always say or do nothing. So I have been looking for a better mantra.

With this Daily Word, I have that mantra:  SILENCE. Working at being silent (and repeating the word "Silence" over and over again) will give me time to think, while waiting to see if I have to jump in. This is the answer to how I might handle myself when these occasions arise.

At least for now. At least until the game rules change again. I'll let you know how it works.

(As I usually do when sharing a Daily Word post, I have revised the thoughts to reflect my spirituality.)

About Daily Word | Pray | Affirmations | Articles | Search Archives | Subscribe | Shop | Donate Saturday, December 24, 2011 SILENCE In the Silence, I am strengthened and renewed. Before I begin my day, I rest in the silence of the morning, close my eyes and breathe in deeply. A smile comes to my lips as I feel the loving presence of God life. In silence there is power, depth, beauty and strength. I can never be alone, for God love and life dwell s within me. Silently, my prayers thoughts go forth to bless send love to a dear one, and silently, I meditate upon the joy within. It is in the silence that God strengthens my faith in life and in myself and fills me with courage. In the silence are born new aspirations, new inspirations and renewed faith. In the silence, I walk and commune with the my indwelling Spirituality and rest in God's life's sustaining love. Peace, be still. I am in the presence of the Almighty. In glorious wonderment I travel on holy ground. I experience myself both inward and outward, during calm times and during turbulent times, and know that both are signs that I am alive as I travel life's path and that all is well. Be silent, all people, before the Lord.--Zechariah 2:13