Love Quote of the Week - Diamonds and the Transformational Power of Love

"Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend."
Martin Luther King, JR

This quote is not just applicable to people it is also applicable to things as well.

I'd like to use diamonds as an analogy. The word diamond comes is derived from the Greek adamo meaning "I tame" or "I subdue".

Diamond is a form of carbon. When we think of carbon, soot or charcoal springs to mind. Diamonds can be formed from charcoal if it is subjected to high heat and pressure. A black amorphous substance is converted into a hard, crystalline substance - quite a dramatic transformation.

You too can dramatically transform your life with the power of love. Perhaps there is something that you hate doing but you're in a position where, for one reason or another you have to do this thing. For this reason you resent this thing. You grow to hate it. It becomes the enemy.

Suppose, however, you could reframe this thing so that you could see the positive aspects of it. Suppose you could find something to love about this particular thing and when you did this thing you focused on what you loved about it or what you loved about what it was helping you to achieve.

Can you see how doing this thing could become more enjoyable, effortless and even energizing?

You pour your heart and soul into getting this thing done and, as a result, your productivity soars. Consequently you get more done in less time and the fruits of your labor are multiplied.

The thing that you once resented and viewed as the enemy is transformed by your love into your friend.

How will you use the awesome power of love to transform your life today?

Love Quote for the Week and Why You Should Pay Someone a Compliment Today

The love quote for this week is from The Dalai Lama,

"When we feel love and kindness toward others, it not only makes others feel loved and cared for, but it helps us also to develop inner happiness and peace."

Upon reading this quote it reminded me of the following story…

You don't expect tears when you compliment someone on their beauty but that's what nearly happened recently. I was chatting to a colour therapist at a health and beauty exhibition when I felt someone approach from behind. I turned, saw a woman and thought "what a beautiful woman" and smiled. After a moment's hesitation I thought I'd share my thoughts with her.

Sometimes, when you compliment a person unexpectedly, they are taken aback, even wary at times. However, when they see that there is no hidden agenda and that the sentiment is genuine they are usually pleased. So I turned back to her and said,

"I was just thinking to myself "what a beautiful woman"."

"Thank you," she said but I sensed she was unsettled - close to tears. I didn't think it was what I said so I waited quietly hoping she would say more. She continued:

"I was drawn to this stand by the lovely colours. I needed something to cheer me up. I visited another stand where a woman said to me - "Lovely face! Shame about the bags under your eyes." Then she glued my under-eye area to reduce the appearance of the bags but it felt so uncomfortable that I had to wash it off."

I knew the exact stand she had visited. It was one promoting permanent makeup - for example the sort of permanent eye makeup it is rumoured that Michael Jackson has. I recalled giving it a wide berth when I went past it and then I couldn't resist, I scrutinised the woman's face more closely.

She did have bags under her eyes! Yet, when I saw her I simply saw a beautiful, elegantly dressed woman. The bags were a part of her makeup and added to her unique personality.

I remembered seeing a documentary about Audrey Hepburn. During her later years, a magazine wanted to airbrush her image. Audrey gave strict orders that her face was not to be touched.

"I've earned every one of those wrinkles," she said.

Airbrushing is applied so liberally these days and sometimes rather than enhance the appearance of the person it robs their face of all character. I also recall seeing an image of Brad Pitt, an actor whose rugged good looks are part of his universal appeal, but one magazine thought it necessary to give him a makeover. I thought it was of the most unflattering images I've ever seen of the handsome actor.

It's ironic that we live in the age of "moving pictures" - cinematography - but that the faces of many of the actors in movies are becoming more and more immobile thanks to plastic surgery and botox. I'm not completely against either but I do think that some individuals are going a little overboard with these procedures.

But back to the point of this story - it's so easy to hurt someone's feelings with a throwaway remark so choose your words carefully even when being honest. By the same token, it's easy to make someone feel better about themselves and it doesn't cost a penny. If their outer beauty is not obvious, look for their inner beauty.

So not only feel love and kindness towards others. Openly express your feelings.

Pay someone a compliment today and everyday - everyone wins! You will not only make someone else feel better about themselves; you will feel good too.

Love Quote for the Week

This week's quote is from the poet, Rumi:

"Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it."

Often we create barriers to what we most want in life. Sometimes this is done on the conscious level and at other times at the sub-conscious level.

So this week examine your life to see where you might be unwittingly setting up barriers. They may be blocking your way to wealth, peace, happiness and love.

Sometimes what we want is already there. We just have to be open to receive it.

Love Quote for the Week

This is the month when many folk have love and relationships on their minds so I thought I'd start the week with a love quote.

This week's quote is from Barbara De Angelis:

"Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver."

Take the time this week to share a little more love and kindness. The world will be a better place for it.