the lover in me…
When things get dark, the lover in me comes out… and I am not just talking bout sexy time.. haha. I have always thrived in problem-solving and helping others when they let me, when they might need it most. Something in me kicks in and gets in that help mode mentally and spiritually first. I have learned that a good helper is being open-minded and supportive of that person's desires. It has nothing to do with you and everything to do about them. So if you lead with love and give what you can, that is enough. Each person has their own life experience, so it seems important to still let each scenario play out and be there in the healthiest way you know how. It has been a learning process to be a cheerleader in life. To be a supporter of others when they need it most. To ooze love from every pore and be there in the thick of it with people. Witness the love, joy, and darkness that fuse and erode into the light. To stand your ground, be authentic, be love, shine your light, and not get tugged into the surrounding darkness is probably the ultimate learning curve. To be compassionate, a good listener, and authentically be with people is the juicy essence of life connection. It’s how we learn and get happier. It’s how we fulfill ourselves and lift others within the process. It’s how we see new perspectives and open up to the preciousness of life.
I reminisce on my cheerleading and pom pom days and think to myself… what it meant to be a cheerleader back in the day? I remember enjoying the rhythms, clapping, and stunts, smiling, laughing, and dancing with the band. I remember being self-conscious in front of people but wanted to move within my body and let it all out. It was a social thing at the game and an entertainment thing as well. Behind the scenes, I remember making posters for the players and decorating their lockers. I remember auditioning each year and being very nervous about being in front of people and showing off my skill. It was learning about myself and how to navigate life and interact with people. There were some naysayers, and I remember comments about cheerleaders being unnecessary. I remember feeling devalued and stupid. I ignored them all and just kept dancing and loving that feeling. It was all life playing out and learning how to love, be loved, and love even better.
My cheerleader days also resemble the band family I have acquired over the past 20 years and what it's like to be an entertainer on stage. You embark on a performance in hopes that people feel good and like what you do. You hope to lift them up in some capacity, You hope to inspire. You be creative and express yourself through the actual performance. And the other half is having a relationship with the crowd, fans, social media followers, or whoever might like what you do. You are given accolades then in return, it's nice to show love back. My big learning lesson has been how to show that love. How to be open and connect and receive that love, then give it back. It has always been in me, I didn’t always know how to show or express it or was so shy and fearful that I just couldn’t. Being a cheerleader and being in a band has helped me show that love and helped polish my delivery style when showing love.
I think we can show love in many ways. I think we are shown many versions of what people think love is or how to give it within our family unit. I think receiving love is a whole other ball game. If you have yet to practice receiving love, you miss out big time. Receiving is a learning process, just like giving. If you remain closed, then how are you to know that people love you? If you don’t love yourself, how can you know and believe that people love you? We all have baggage at some point in life and need to release it. It makes room for all this love that exists within the world and people. We are all love and connected and part of each other, so as we display love, we are loving ourselves, loving others, and loving the universe. It’s a beautiful cycle.
I think showing love is one of the best things we can do. After all, doesn’t life revolve around love and light? I bet someone out there needs to hear those loving words, support, and encouragement right now. Do not miss a single chance -- not one single opportunity --to tell someone how wonderful they are, how special they are, how important to you they are, how incredible they are, how beautiful they are inside and out. Do not miss these opportunities. Make it your life's mission today to bring to the attention of another just how extraordinary they are. Say it. Say it. SAY it. Their heart is waiting to know that their best thoughts about themselves are true. Show the lover from within… doit now :)