The things and people we cling to imprison us; the things and people we love free us. The most liberating experience of all is to love something or someone and not at the same time want to possess the object of our love. True love allows the other its own freedom, yes, even desires that freedom; and in return the lover himself is free to love more and more selflessly.
Who, however, can achieve such love? Maybe no one can completely. But each one of us glimpses from time to time the exquisite joy of his own selflessnes. If i am willing to love you and let you go wherever you wish, we are both free and our love grows. Otherwise, need and dependence replace love, and we grow tired of what all of this is costing us emotionally.
Some of us learn this basic fact of life, and they become the contented and authentic souls we all know. Others never do learn it, and they are constantly caught in webs of their own making, unable to break loose and enjoy the freedom gifted by real love.
adapted: murray bodo
