In 1986 I lost a baby girl named Ema to stillbirth. (Bereaved parents see http://www.sids.gr.jp for support and information.) After that I had two rambunctious sons and raising them to adulthood was a challenge. Yet no matter how frustrated I got, I never, ever lost site of the fact that I loved them. Losing my beloved Ema taught me to always be thankful for my boys and to love them like mad. My love for them was unconditional.  The great thing about little kids is that they give unconditional love right back to you! Pets do that too!

Elizabeth Kubler-Ross writes:

“The ultimate lesson all of us have to learn is “unconditional love” which includes not only others but ourselves as well.”

Unconditional love for yourself is so important too! Treat yourself well and give yourself the gift of yoga. Yoga strengthens and purifies your body and your mind. Do not be critical of your yoga. Make space in your body bit by bit, at your own pace.

Here is  a poem describing the joy of love by Hafiz, a great Sufi master who wrote poems in the 1300’s. Translation by Daniel Ladinsky.

The Sun Never Says

Even

After

All this time

The sun never says to the earth,

“You owe

Me.”

Look

What happens

With a love like that,

It lights the

Whole

Sky.