Bittersweet love – Recently from a girlfriend I received a hug with the words .. “I am so grateful and I love you for what you have done for me.”

Now on the surface this may sound like a beautiful ‘thank you’ … but I actually don’t want to be loved for what I have done to support others. I want to be loved for who I am – NOT what I have done for someone… and I don’t do things to be loved by others.

I do things in support of others because I have a privileged life and I WANT to in caring for them and loving them… NOT for their love! I want people to love me for the Julie who stands in front of them when they wipe ALL the things away that I have done for them. I want them to see my Spirit… my loving heart.. my wisdom….my playfulness.. my fragility… my honesty.. my creativity… my commitment… my caring… my gifts… my beauty.

I don’t want people to love me for anything they receive from me. That opens the way for obligation. I don’t want the energy of obligation to muddy the waters of love.

Love people for who they are standing right in front of you. Don’t love them because they have been kind to you.. or done things for you. Look at the qualities of who they are.. and love them for their Spirit if they display attributes that you admire, respect and are in alignment with. If they don’t have those attributes… love them anyway.. but be clear about where you stand in relation to love and obligation.