Love has no agenda …

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Our perfection lies in accepting our imperfection. The moment we drop our defenses (read: fear), there is only love. And love is perfect.

Still it seems most of us exhaust ourselves trying to be pretty enough, rich enough, sexy enough, or educated enough to feel, if not perfect, at least good enough. When we let go of our security blanket of choice and accept what is, we also realize that it far exceeds anything we hoped to conjure up.

And we have the gift of peace as part of the love we are.… More

While his mom and dad saw the eye doctor, he colored pictures and helped Tweety Bird through a maze. And when he found a tic-tac-toe page, he asked me, “Do you want to play tic-tac-toe with me?”

“Her’s not a stranger, her’s a nice lady,” he told his parents.

That was my high praise for the day! It is my high praise — and yours, too, I suspect — for any day. It is also our ticket to peace and prosperity, as individuals and as a society.

“Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth,” Jesus told the crowd on a mountainside.

It’s easy to be meek with a young child because we don’t feel threatened; we have nothing to prove and no ulterior motive. We needn’t reserve meekness for children, though; demonstrating it earns respect from those who are most discerning and untainted.

“Outside show is a poor substitute for inner worth,” said Aesop.

Yet outside show is often exactly what we present to grown ups — not because we don’t have inner worth, but because we don’t trust it (or them) enough to let it stand on its own.

But today’s crisis has us looking for something we can trust; and it’s also making it clear what we cannot trust.… More

Trying to decide between a beach getaway and a stocking full of coal for your sweetheart? Why not give them a clean slate, instead? Wipe away the black marks and start fresh, aiming — once again — for perfect love. Only this time, do it with perfect love in clear view. Know what you’re going for, and you have a better shot at it.

According to Robert J. Sternberg, a psychologist and psychometrician, perfect love is a high level of intimacy, passion, and commitment.

Intimacy: Psychological knowledge shared, and connection based on that knowledge
Passion: Erotic attraction
Commitment: The decision that a person loves another person and the commitment to maintain that love

It’s difficult to have a high level of even one of the three if focusing on how you’ve been wronged or shortchanged; and each one works to strengthen or weaken the other two. Wiping the slate clean, on the other hand, allows you to immediately enjoy what ever level you already have and develop more of it.

I realize that a clean slate isn’t exactly something you can order online, but Christmas isn’t about what you can have somebody else deliver. Christmas is about giving of what you have, so give yourself a clean slate, too.… More

God hears more than our words in prayer. He tunes into our hearts and actions. And they say more than our words.

So if you’re wondering where the answers are, consider taking a closer look at what you need based on your behavior and the attitude of your heart.

God loves us enough to tune into us and give us every opportunity to love well. Therein lies our peace and joy. … More

Love is always job one!

When I do that well, I am true to myself and others. I am the best I can be. And I am at peace, regardless of what comes my way. … More