ULOG: Remaining open to love

There are times when we long to be able to help someone whom we love much,but we can do nothing. Circumstances will allow us to approach them, or the person is closed off to any gesture of solidarity and support. Then all we are left with is love. At such times, when we can do nothing else, we can still love without expecting any reward or change or gratitude. If we do this, the energy of love will begin to transform the universe about us. Wherever, this energy appears it always achieves its ends. Time doesn't transform man. Will power does not transform man. Love transforms says Henry Drummond.

I read somewhere online about a little girl who was brutally beaten by her parents. As a result she lost all physical movement, as well as the ability to speak. Once admitted to hospital, she was cared for by a nurse who said to her everyday. I love you. Although the doctors assured her that the child could not hear and that all her efforts were in vain, the nurse continued to say; don't forget, I love you.Three weeks later,the child recovered the power of movement. Four weeks later she could again talk and smile so let me set this down here.So that we never forget. Love cures.

Love transforms and love cures but sometimes love builds deadly traps and can end up in destroying a person who had resolved to give herself or himself completely.What is this complex feeling which, deep down, is the only reason we continue to love. Struggle and improve? It would be irresponsible of me to attempt to define it, because I, along with every other human being, can only feel it.Thousands of books have been written on the subject, plays have been put on, films produced, poems composed, sculptures carved out of wood or marble, and yet all any artist can convey is the idea of feeling, not the feeling itself.

But I have learned that this feeling is present in the small things, and manifests itself in the most insignificant of our actions. It is necessary, therefore to keep love always in mind, regardless of whether or not we take action. Picking up the phone and saying the affectionate words we have been postponing, open the door to someone who needs our help. Accepting job. Leaving a job.Taking a decision that we were putting off for later. Asking forgiveness for a mistake we made and which keeps niggling at us. Demanding a right that is ours. Putting music on really loud when the person you love is far away, and turning the volume down when he or she is near. Knowing when to say 'yes' and 'no', because love works with all our energies. Discovering a sport that can be played by two. Not following any recipe, not even those contained in this paragraph, because love requires creativity.

And when none of this is possible,when all that remains is loneliness, then remember this story that once I read. A rose dreamed day and night about bees, but no been ever landed on her petals. The flower however continued to dream. During the long night, she imagined a heaven full of bees which flow down to bestow fond kisses on her. By doing this, she was able to last until the next day, when she opened again to the sunlight.

Out night the moon who knew of the rose's loneliness asked "Aren't you tired of waiting?" Possibly,but I have to keep trying. Why?

Because if I don't remain open I will simply fade away.

At times,when loneliness seems to crush all beauty, the only way to resist is to remain open.