Love, Reign O'er Me

"Where there is love there is life."
–Mahatma Gandhi

Over the twenty-three years I've been alive on this planet I have come to realize that one the most powerful forces out there is love. Whether or not I have been "in love" in the classical sense is hard to say but love is something that my life is saturated with. I believe love exists in many different forms; it can be between friends, family, couples, pets, perfect strangers and even enemies at times. Love has a lot in common with one of the greatest forces of nature on earth and that force is water. 

Much like love, water exists in multiple states it can drastically change the landscape. One form of water is vapor which are what clouds consist mainly of. There are times in life which love is a lot like a cloud, floating out of reach taking the the shape of what our imagination wants it to be. Both clouds and unrequited love can bring quite a bit of darkness and gloom when they begin to block out the sun which is life. We must try and remember that these clouds can blow away and they also can touch the earth at times but we must respect their nature for who are we to judge. Another form water can take is that of a solid, ice. There are great loves like glaciers that move mountains and carve out lakes by sheer force. The problem with frozen water however is if it is hit hard enough it can shatter into a million pieces. There are times when when love is large yet conditional and can be destroyed by the pressures and challenges of life.Surprisingly the most powerful form of water is liquid, the Grand Canyon, one of the most beautiful natural landforms in the United States was formed by none other than liquid water. When we allow love to flow freely amazing things can happen. 

Liquid has one very unique property, it can take the shape of whatever container it's in. When love is like liquid it can engulf someone fully, every chip and each imperfection. Even though liquid bends and changes it is no force to be reckoned with, it can quite literally shape the face of the planet. 75% of our bodies are made up of liquid water and it covers 71% of the the earth, I believe that most of us individually and the entire world are filled with love. Each great civilization was built around water and love: humans long ago realized that water was essential for agriculture, trade and transportation while love allowed us to put the needs of the group ahead the individual.

We all must be open to receive love when it rains down upon us, sometimes that rain comes may cold stinging sheets but it is water, love nonetheless. Love can be painful and harsh at times that is for sure but we cannot just shut it all out under some lonely dark umbrella. Go forth from your places of isolated shelter and feel the rain of compassion on your face. Let us all change the world with a great flood of love and let us remember that each droplet, each act of kindness matters.