2.14.24 // Love as Explained by Brené Brown

A day of love is not enough.
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I want love in every day, in every moment, in every breath.
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I said those exact words last year and I'll say them for as many years as I can.
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But, the beauty of a day decorated with that four-letter word, is an incredible opportunity to understand, reflect, and open our minds to what so deeply impacts our hearts.
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Today, my reflection on love is guided by one of my favorites, Brené Brown. On this Valentine's Day, I hope reading these words can help us understand the language of one of the most common human experiences, love.
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"We cultivate love when we allow our most vulnerable and powerful selves to be deeply seen and known, and when we honor the spiritual connection that grows from offering with trust, respect, kindness, and affection.
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Love is not something we give or get; it is something we nurture and grow, a connection that can be cultivated between two people only when it exists within each of them- we can love others only as much as we love ourselves.
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Shame, blame, disrespect, betrayal, and withholding affection damage the roots from which love grows. Love can survive these injuries only if they're acknowledged, healed, and rare."
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- Brené Brown, Atlas of the Heart