Have you loved even when it hurts, when you can’t, when you shouldn’t, when you wouldn’t, when you didn’t – just because love is a verb not a noun and it’s the hardest, most beautiful gift of life?
Because I love with my entire being, I can say that I have loved much. In fact, I love fiercely. Those who are loved by me know the fierceness and power of my love. Some believe I love too much because I love to the point that most would have gracefully bowed out . . . tapped out. My kind of love requires strength, endurance, and sacrifice. I have sacrificed myself, time, and energy . . . frequently placing myself on the “back burner” or removing myself from the stove entirely.
How can I love others so fiercely without fierce love for myself? Years ago, I came to my mat. Years later, I enrolled in a teacher training program, placed myself back on the front burner of the stove, learned how to turn on my own heat, and learned how to care for me. Mat-time became me-time. I love myself fiercely when I come to my mat, but I still love fiercely off the mat. On my mat I learned that my love of self only thrives and flourishes in my love for others. My kind of love stems from my life experiences and is fueled by acts of compassion. True to myself, I still make sacrifices . . . sharing the mat with the cats or my son, or leaving the mat to share my love with others . . . but these sacrifices are truly necessary for someone with my kind of love.
**Original article can be found at 30 Questions to Ask Before You Die
Apurva - Yoga with Jenn 