Let’s talk about LOVE. Do you feel the ick? It’s such an uncomfortable topic for some people. You may have had some resistance to even reading this. No-one wants to look vulnerable or talk about love – but everybody wants love.
Some people get put off when they see the word in a book title or on a movie poster. They don’t even want to say or see the word ‘love’. I have a massive sign saying “LOVE” in my bathroom – and some of my friends hate it. They pull a face and feel all kinds of weird feelings about it.
Maybe we don’t talk about ‘love’ because Hollywood has conditioned us to only think in terms of material or romantic love. Western culture has defined what love looks like. We spend a lot of time thinking about love and relationships – but mostly in a transactional way. Dating is big business.
We need new ways of talking about love. If we think of ‘love’ as an energy, a resource that never runs out, could we allow ourselves more? Could we allow ourselves to use it in our creative work as a powerful force? What if by giving, you knew you received 10 times or even 10000 times back? Instead of feeling resentful because we didn’t get the gift or action that we thought ‘showed love’ – could we try something new? Could love set us all free to be, who we wanna be?bell hooks was an American philosopher, in her book she says there are seven components of love. These seven parts are:
care affection recognition respect commitment trust and honest and open communicationNow we’ve defined love – let’s try and embody these qualities ourselves with our kids, our families, with everyone around us. Maybe we could shift and change our lives, our communities and the world.
Love isn’t just an abstract concept. It’s something that can be learned, cultivated and built on in all of our relationships. Imagine if instead of controlling or worrying, you just started sending loving feelings to your clients, your team, your boss?! What if you sent love from your heart and through your eyes to your friends and colleagues when you were actively listening to them. What if you could radiate love at that next networking event, on your morning commute or at the gym? What if when you’re sitting in front of your next piece of work, you sit quietly and think loving thoughts before you create? And I’m not saying you have to say “I LOVE YOU” or hug everyone. No love-bombing here, no thanks. I’m talking about silently sending love to everyone around you even if you don’t know them. Just repeat the word ‘love, love, love’ in your head, from your heart, as a mantra in your next meeting and let me know what happens. It could change everything.On 15 Feb, we’re running a free Self-Love Festival for Women of Colour only at Brighton Dome. More info and tickets available now. https://self-love-festival-2025.eventbrite.co.uk
