“Because there’s nothing more beautiful than the way the ocean refuses to stop kissing the shoreline, no matter how many times it’s sent away.”  – Sarah Kay

Unconditional: without conditions or limitations; total: unconditional surrender.

Even the ocean knows this truth. Its actions do not depend on what it will get in return, but what it has to give, no matter if the conditions are favorable…like the quote – “no matter how many times it is sent away”  Love is about what we give, not what we get.

Love is unconditional when it endures despite unfavorable circumstances. It is a word that is often defined incorrectly. Unconditional love does one of the most amazing things, it separates the individual from her or his behaviors.  If it has to be “earned” on the basis of conscious or unconscious conditions being met? then you have misunderstood the meaning altogether.

Here are a few things to consider when defining unconditional love.

1.  Think of love as an action, not a feeling

2.  Always ask yourself, what is the most loving thing I can do for this particular person in this particular moment?

3.  Remember that love doesn’t mean making sure someone is always comfortable.. everything has a balance.

4.  Consider that if love is unconditional, it is given to everyone freely, including yourself.

5.  Forgive

6.  Allow yourself to reap the benefits

When love is thought of as an action? It’s something you choose, not something you do because you feel like it – or not. There are people who are capable of this action, regardless. Don’t let them go. There are people who are hard to love, we all have those to work on. Offering unconditional love in the most crucial moments of people’s lives will never manifest regret. Never.

If we give based on what we will receive in return, we will always be lacking. If we give because it’s a conscious choice, our hearts will always be full – unconditionally full… a gift to ourselves also.

The next biggie? Forgive…because we ourselves have been forgiven. Forgiving also has to be a conscious choice, an action on our part. I’m thankful for forgiveness by those who have given it to me tenfold. Why would I give anyone else anything less.

Unconditional love is not easy. It’s probably one of the hardest things you will ever attempt. But I can assure you, once you have received it for yourself? It is much easier to give to someone else.

One of my favorite verses.. the love verse. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8) Love is patient, Love is kind…… read it today.

When I am gone from this earth? I hope that the one thing that can be said of me, is that I “loved” even when it was hard and inconvenient, even when it was spoken evil of and misunderstood – even when the end result was that I received nothing in return.

Make it more of who you are, than what  you do. Unconditional love happens on the inside….inner workings of the soul.

Mother Teresa said it best….

“At the end of life, we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by “I was hungry and you gave me to eat”–“I was naked and you clothed me”–“I was homeless and you took me in.” Hungry not only for bread, but hungry for love. Naked not only for clothing, but naked for human dignity and respect. Homeless not only for want of a room of bricks, but homeless because of rejection.”