"One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life: That word is love."
-Sophocles
Most of the time when I hear "love" I immediately think of romantic love. That love is sweet, but brotherly love for every living thing is much simpler. I remembered recently how uplifting it is to just love everyone around me. My sorrows are easily washed away when I can focus on LOVE!
Loving everyone also eases the struggle I have to be compassionate. If I love them first, its easier to be understanding of the pain they are feeling. Their trespasses against me do not seem so insurmountable. I can overcome my own fear of pain, and interrupt the self-fulfilling cycle, simply by making sure to love others.
Before I can truly and deeply love others, however, I must learn to love myself. This is my goal. This is my purpose. This is my intention. How true Sophocles' words are; self-love will release my burdens and pain. I shiver with excitement at the thought of freedom from pain. I know the way to get there; it begins with loving every fiber of myself.
