If our hearts are small and closed, we are easily upset by the mistakes and flaws of others. However, if we open our hearts, we will discover empathy and compassion for our fellow humans. If it is as simple as this then love requires nourishment and happiness is the source of the nourishment.
You know love is made up of joy, equanimity, compassion, and loving-kindness. It is more than finding an attractive and successful mate. Let’s first understand the main characteristics.
- Joy is all about experiencing deep and lasting happiness. And when you are filled with joy, you will end up sharing it.
- Equanimity is also known as inclusiveness. This one gives you the ability to blur the lines between yourself and another person making you feel and understand their suffering.
- Compassion enables you to see and comprehend suffering. This trait improves the ability to listen and empathize.
- Loving-kindness
Well, let us restore “love” to its true significance. Love is all-encompassing, embracing the good and the bad in a person, without judgment. It starts with oneself and later dispensing it to others because there is no way you can connect to others if you are disconnected from yourself.
The key to connecting with others lies within ourselves. To understand others you first need to learn to listen to and understand yourself. Being mindful can help us recognize and accept our negative emotions, instead of being overwhelmed by them. In truth, the nearer a man comes to a calm mind, the closer he is to strength ~Marcus Aurelius
Be generous
After finding and loving yourself you need to be generous. Loving yourself helps you love others making you a little happier. Allow your light to shine on others so that they can be happier as well.
The art of happiness is also the art of suffering well. When we learn to learn to acknowledge, embrace, and understand our suffering, we suffer much less…There is no place where there is only happiness and no suffering.
Thich Nhat Hanh
Nourishing love with happiness requires effort, commitment, and a willingness to express gratitude, kindness, and affection. By following these simple tips, you can enjoy a fulfilling and joyful relationship with the people you love, and experience the beauty of love in all its forms.