To journey through the world and live with love as we go is a devotion, and nothing less. Here’s a poem about loving like we are breathing.

“This is not an easy time in which to live. That does not mean that it has to be a difficult time to love…” — Brandon Sanderson, The Well of Ascension

Live with love. It may sound simple, but it’s a decision that encompasses everything: every relationship, interaction, and action.

For me, I want to feel as though love is the underlying energy that flows through every single step I take. I want love to be the current carrying me through the times I’m not sure I can survive on my own.

I want to feel my life while I live it.

This kind of decision guides your relationship with the earth and its seasons, the projects on your calendar, the food you eat, and the conversations you have in your own head.

If we nourish our bodies from a place of love, even aches and illness can be a chance to love again.

If we cultivate a greater respect for life’s mysteries, we might see hardship as a chance to become more forgiving, compassionate, and tolerant of others, and ourselves.

To Live with Love

Doesn’t it amaze you, too,

How one person can love so much

That you can’t help but

Love in the same language

As they do?

This is what I crave to do:

Love beyond boundaries

And create like love is all that is true.

I want to rise to the occasion

With love still in my sight.

I want to fall asleep with

Love on my lips.

Nothing can take away my light then,

And if the night comes heavy,

I’ll have stars to give.

Without love, I sleep.

With love, I awaken.

Nothing could be taken from me then,

And even loss would lead to

Some kind of road worth traveling.

Even sadness would breed beauty

And beauty would not be so limited,

Not merely based on the opinions I keep.

Every storm would birth anticipation,

The kind that keeps me awake.

Yes, I do think

That love would be the well

From which I would like to drink.

In every season and circumstance,

May my eyes be open and

My ears be listening for what comes.

The sand would turn to gold.

I could hear the lightning

Before I see the thunder

And revel in my place on earth.

"Should" would not apply anymore;

Mistakes would die into

Openings for renewed life.

Love makes all things new

By returning them to divinity.

Travel far enough into what is here,

A treasure house appears.

Go beyond a label and a name,

Everything becomes one

That to the senses would never

Be the same.

With love,

Even loss becomes gain.

. . .

Tell me:

Which of these thoughts did you need to read today?

Tell me in the comments. I read every single one, and I'd love to know!

With love,

Jen

P.S. Need to show yourself a little more love? Here's a handwritten poetry print for that. Every time you read it, you'll come back home to yourself. One breath at a time.