Unconditionally

This morning I was listening to Katy Perry's "Unconditionally", such a beautiful and pure song. The imagery in the video is just as stunning as the lyrics. My favorite lyric in the song:

Acceptance is the key to be
To be truly free
Will you do the the same for me?

Such a deep way to love, a way that seems to have been lost in time. I've been in a situation where this is how I felt about someone and not in a racy romantic way (not fully, I should say). This person's soul seemed to call for the need of "unconditional" love. A soul unsure, unfamiliar, and unexperienced with this kind of love, or any other depth filled love beyond children. Not meaning there was no depth to the love this soul had experienced, just that trust for such intense forgiving love was not fully developed.

Imagine what it would be like not to fear being the true person you were meant to be. We all work to develop a sense of our authentic self. But how often do we compromise for fear of rejection or keeping the peace?  I'd be lying if I said I haven't been guilty of such acts. Growing up, we are conditioned to act in certain manners that may very well go against who we were meant to become. Why? For the sake of approval. Yet even with said "approval", we feel internally we have forsaken ourselves. I made it a point to make my children aware of the difference of my love for them, and my dislike for the things they do. Apples and oranges. The apples will always be there, the oranges could turn to kiwi's or pear's dependent on their stage in life.

We all have experienced love based on certain conditions of reciprocity. It made me wonder how many of us are willing to give that kind of love with nothing in return? This world would be so great if we could feel safe and strong enough to open our hearts and give without receiving in return. This doesn't mean that we give ourselves away, just that we love others as we love ourselves.

When we give unconditional love, it isn't a free pass to allow another to do as they want. Trust me, I'm aware of the takers who would continue to suck until there is nothing left. But in giving unconditional love we automatically promote forgiveness. There can still be boundaries. We can still love and care for someone without them in our daily lives. Sending love through our hearts and minds is still a way to give love, while maintaining healthy boundaries. Love is a universal energy.

I learned to forgive a woman I never thought I could, by sending protection and love to her and her child. If you knew the story you would ask me, "How could you do such a thing?" My answer in short, "It healed me and was better than the alternative. The one that was eating my soul alive.

In a time which seems so full of anything but love it was just great to hear this song.

Unconditionally - Katy Perry