Unconditional Love and Other Myths

What does it mean to love unconditionally? What would that literally look like? We want to apply our own modifications to that term, and it will look a little different to each of us as we put our own spin on it. For the majority, I think, it means that we feel we should be loved no matter what we do. I agree, especially if we belong to a loving creator who owns us, no matter what. Does that mean, though, that the creator, or anyone else, should love everything we do as well? Even if we love our children unconditionally, which most of us think we do, does it mean that we are happy and supportive of everything they do? I hope not. I do not support my children or anyone else who thinks they need, for instance, to hurt others. I don’t support acts of selfishness, violence, dishonesty, or lack of honor in any form. Does that mean I don’t love those who do them? Of course not; I do not cease to love when I dislike or even hate the behavior. Supporting those I love does not mean I support everything they do; this is true even if they are doing things they believe will make them “happy,” if that means they are acting dishonorably or immorally.

Nor can I excuse myself when I behave badly. I do not expect support for my bad behaviors.

I would hope someone would love me enough to tell me that I have spinach between my teeth, that my breath stinks, that I am acting like an ass.

Love sometimes means having to say, “Hey! I love you, but you’re acting like an idiot!” That’s unconditional love. I go on loving you no matter what, even when I hate what you do, and even when I have to say so. I hope those who love me would do the same.

Just my two cents…