I was sitting on the couch two nights ago, one hand petting my dog (a super fluffy chow mix) and the fingers of my other hand running through my live-in boyfriend's hair. I was suddenly struck by the thought that we should love other humans like we love our pets. I love my dogs unconditionally, unabashedly. I don't live in fear of them hurting me. I don't worry that they'll leave me someday or find someone better. I give my love to them freely, without expectation. That's how we should love one another. Why is it different with my boyfriend? I love him, but there's a near-constant underlying fear that he'll hurt me, leave me, or disappoint me. There's a wall, or at the very least a veil between us at all times. It was at that moment, sitting on the couch between my boyfriend and my dog, that I decided to love my boyfriend like I love my dog. Love without fear. Love without expectation. Just love him. Enjoy that he's here now. Enjoy whatever time together we have for what it is. Just like I do with my dogs. I'm in the moment with my dogs. But with my boyfriend I'm more often dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. Why?
So that's why I decided to learn from my dogs. Live simply. Love fully. Be present.
LOVE without fear.
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