We need to bring love—and its twin sister, compassion—into our daily interactions. But let’s be honest: this isn’t always easy.
Do you struggle with this? Do you find it hard to show love to the person who irritates you at work or at the gym? Do you hold back from bringing your true, loving nature into the world because you fear it makes you seem weak?
I get it. I’ve been there.
For a long time, I believed that leading with love meant getting used—by superiors, by family, by friends, by romantic partners. I thought that if I let my guard down, I’d be taken advantage of. And after being hurt, I built walls. Thick ones. I became guarded, defensive, and unwilling to let people in. My relationships suffered. I suffered.
But here’s what I’ve learned: I am wired to live from a place of love. And when I don’t, it creates an internal battle—a battle that, over time, led me to anxiety and even depression.
So, how did I find my way back? How did I start living from love again?
Listen on, because by the end of this podcast, you’ll have the tools to do the same. And when you do, I promise—your joy will increase.
Step One: Acceptance
I had to pull myself out of the exhausting habit of trying to read minds—assuming what others thought of me and using that as a mirror for my own worth.
There’s a quote that says:
“I am not who you think I am. I am not who I think I am. I am who I think you think I am.”
Confusing? Yes. True? Absolutely.
So much of our identity is shaped by what we believe others think of us—whether we embrace it or rebel against it. But here’s the thing: most of the time, we don’t even know if our assumptions are correct. And even if they are, we can’t control what others believe about us.
So instead of trying, I chose acceptance. I accepted that not everyone will like me. I accepted that I don’t have to prove myself to anyone. And in that acceptance, I found something incredible: freedom.
Step Two: Cultivate Curiosity
When I turned 40, something amazing happened. I stopped investing energy in what others thought and simply started living my truth. Speaking my truth. And in doing so, I opened myself up to relationships in a way I never had before.
This shift allowed me to cultivate something essential: curiosity.
Every interaction we have is layered with circumstance. Maybe that coworker who snapped at you had a brutal morning. Maybe the person giving you attitude at the gym just got terrible news. Instead of taking things personally, what if we got curious?
What if, instead of reacting, we paused and asked, “Hey, are you okay?”
No, it doesn’t excuse bad behavior. But curiosity opens the door to compassion. And compassion? That’s where love begins.
Step Three: Practice Gratitude and Compassion
Once I softened my heart and let go of attachment to how interactions should go, everything changed. Instead of being guarded, I became curious. Instead of assuming the worst, I led with compassion.
And from compassion, love followed naturally.
Love isn’t just a feeling—it’s a practice. It’s something we cultivate through gratitude. When we start seeing the people around us through a lens of compassion and gratitude, we start accepting them as they are. And in doing so, we give ourselves permission to do the same.
And that’s where joy lives.
The 3 Steps to Living from Love
Let’s sum it up:
- Accept yourself and others. Let go of the expectations you think are placed on you, and just… be.
- Cultivate curiosity. Especially toward the difficult people in your life.
- From curiosity, build compassion. And from compassion, practice gratitude.
That’s it.
This week, take time to do the work. Notice where you’re holding back love. Get curious. Practice compassion. And let me know what challenges come up—I’m always here to listen.
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Until next time, let your beautiful soul shine in this world.