I like to read books that offer insight into human behavior. I recently read a book by relationship author John Gray. While I took most of it with a grain of salt, I found one bit of advice very helpful. Gray mentioned that as human beings, we often project our emotions and behaviors onto others. I’d always associated projection as a way for us to transfer our fears and insecurities. I never saw it as a positive thing. Gray’s advice, however was to project love onto others because in doing so, we’d probably see that love returned.
I decided to confidently and consciously project my love - a sort of social experiment. Within a month, I had three different people from three different areas of my life tell me that I had a “positive energy” about me. One of these people is a health care provider I have known for years. Another is a co-worker with whom I have a professional relationship. The third is a person I had known for only a few weeks. I have also become more aware of the way people treat me. I have been having a difficult time at work because my classes are too big, so I spend more time baby-sitting than I do teaching. Several of my co-workers, including my boss, have empathized with my situation by giving me kind words and support. I feel cared about, and so I am inspired to support others.
Although Gray writes for a secular audience, I think his words can be applied to our most loving relationship - the one we have with God. I see God as projecting his or her love onto us. Because I feel loved by God, I want those around me to feel loved, too. I love others because when I feel loved back, I know that love truly comes from God.
today's meditation was written by Hilary White.
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