The Practice: Love is a Lens.

Look with Love

The Practice is a series of reflections on living more slowly and intentionally.

These are not conclusions, but ongoing practices, anchors I return to when life feels loud.

Each piece explores one way of paying attention, with gentleness rather than instruction.

Love is a Lens. Look with Love is more than a mantra for the New Year.

It is an anchor, an internal shift in mind, body, and soul, gifted by The Pause.

Not all moments, circumstances, or situations in life evoke feelings of love.

In recent years, the waves of life have seemed relentless, testing my strength, shaking my confidence, questioning humanity, faith, and what is good in the world.

Love never left my life, but my ability to see it faltered.

In testing times, love’s lens blurred and muddied.

Looking with love was, at times, near impossible.

The Pause forced me to stop, to slow down.

Ultimately granting me the time and space for reflection, clearing the way for acceptance and compassion.

Acceptance of circumstances outside my control, and compassion for myself.

Love’s lens became clearer.

To look with love is to look with acceptance.

With compassion.

With gratitude and faith in the good.

This practice is lived through slowing down. Prioritising and noticing the moments between moments.

Through caring for oneself, extending compassion to oneself and others.

Being honest and true, accepting what lies beyond our circle of control.

Returning to what is essential, and engaging in activities that fill the soul, calm the mind, and soothe the body.

A hopeful mantra for the New Year.

A reminder that even in challenging times, love can, and will, prevail.

- Michelle Valerie

This is a practice I return to.

Again, and again.

This reflection is part of The Practice — small practices that emerged from The Pause.

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