Love, the Healer of the Soul

I recently wrote an essay about Fear, Anger, Hate, the Destroyer of the Soul.

The responses to this piece surprised me how it resonated so much with so many people. I became aware that many people understood the difficult and often overwhelmingly hard path I had followed with these feelings, how I had struggled to find meaning in pursuing this journey. However, I can now see a meaning from this endeavor, a strong purpose of this voyage. Let me share those thoughts, those conclusions with you now. I discovered the value of love, the meaning of caring for another, the immense return one receives from giving unselfishly to another, the limitless healing power of love.

I was taught from a small child that a man does not openly show or express his feelings, either in public or in private, unless it is a very special occasion, or in a very safe environment, far away from seeing eyes or critical observers. Perhaps it was the time in which I was raised, the fifties and the sixties. This was an era when men were taught to hide their feelings, protect their emotions. One could show the emotions of hate or anger, but love was only spoken or shared in private, in safe environments when out of the view of critical observers and watching eyes. “I love you,” was only said when that meaning could carry a message of intimacy or love making.

As I grew into an adult, I realized that this expression, “I love you,” meant far more. It was also a statement of appreciation and caring. I no longer just used this expression to show deep feelings for my mother or another female and only in private, I used it to express my value and feeling of endearment for all those with whom I held close, my father, my brother, even my friends. I no longer felt reluctant to use this expression as a message of high value and profound appreciation for everyone. The more I used it to share my feelings, the more secure I became and began to feel about all those with whom I came in contact.  And, as a result, the more I came to love myself. Yes, I have learned that showing and expressing love for others is the best way of experiencing love for oneself.

You see it is love that conquers fear, dissipates hate and eliminates anger. In these unsettling times of chaos, confusion, hatred, and anger for that which appears different or that which we do not understand, we need to lean on and recognize that love can draw us closer together, heal the soul and overcoming all that appears to separate us. We should remember the words, “I love you,” whenever or wherever conflict arises and think of each other rather than just ourselves. In doing so, we can overcome all obstacles and relish in the love that binds us together while healing the soul.