Love is Patient

My friend Nicole always tells me that love is our most natural state, and any time we think a negative thought about another person, we are throwing ourselves off balance and moving further away from our most authentic self. The love dare for Day 1 wasn't particularly that difficult for me, since I try my best not to say negative things to people (other than occasionally teasing someone out of fun). On the other hand, it is extremely difficult for me to not think a negative thought.

Usually upon waking up, my thoughts begin flooding me immediately and can go from zero to negative in a matter of seconds. It's important to have verses of Truth to counter them with because it can easily wear on one's mood if you don't. So instead of "biting my tongue," I decided to "bite my thoughts." There is that occasional moment, however, when I am stuck in a situation with a difficult person and want to defend myself or spout off something spiteful, so in those moments, I want to remember this quote from The Love Dare:

When you choose to be patient, you respond in a positive way to a negative situation.

Good words. If anyone wants to share their own experiences with learning to bite their tongue, feel free. I am moving along to Day 2, since I already slacked off this weekend. I encourage you to read through Day 2- Love is Kind. Here is a little snippet if you don't want to read the whole thing:

Kindness is love in action. If patience is how love reacts in order to minimize a negative circumstance, kindness is how love acts to maximize a positive circumstance. Patience avoids a problem; kindness creates a blessing. One is preventive, the other proactive. These two sides of love are the cornerstones on which many of the other attributes we will discuss are built.

And here is your dare for today:

In addition to saying nothing negative to anyone today, do at least one unexpected gesture as an act of kindness.

Alright, people. Get out there and be kind! We will commence the following day and discuss.