Love is a fundamental human need. We all crave love and affection, and we seek it out in our relationships with others. However, there are certain teachings about love that can be dangerous to our hearts. Specifically, teachings about conditional love can be harmful and damaging to our emotional and mental wellbeing.
Conditional love is love that is given or withheld based on certain conditions or requirements. For example, a parent may only show love to their child if the child gets good grades, or a partner may only show affection if their significant other does what they want. This kind of love is often referred to as “conditional love,” and it can be incredibly damaging to our hearts.
The reason why conditional love is so dangerous is that it creates an environment of fear and insecurity. When we feel like we have to earn someone’s love or approval, we become anxious and stressed. We may begin to doubt ourselves and our worthiness of love. This can lead to low self-esteem, depression, and even anxiety disorders.
Teachings about conditional love can also lead to a lack of trust in ourselves and others. When we are taught that love is something that must be earned, we may begin to question the authenticity of the love we receive. We may also begin to doubt our own ability to love unconditionally, which can lead to a cycle of negative self-talk and self-doubt.
Unfortunately, there are many teachings about love that promote the idea of conditional love. Many religions and cultures promote the idea that love is only given to those who follow certain rules or codes of conduct. This is incredibly damaging to individuals who do not fit into these narrow definitions of what is currently considered “acceptable” behavior.
What can we do to combat teachings about conditional love? The first step is to recognize when we are being exposed to these harmful ideas. We need to be aware of the messages we are receiving about love, and we need to question them. We should also surround ourselves with people who practice unconditional love and support us for who we are, rather than who they want us to be.
It’s also important to practice self-love and self-care. We need to recognize our own worth and value, and we need to show ourselves the same kind of love and compassion that we would show to someone else. This can be as simple as taking care of our physical and emotional needs, practicing mindfulness, and engaging in activities that bring us joy and fulfillment.
Teachings about conditional love can be deadly to our hearts. They can cause us to hate ourselves. They create an environment of fear and insecurity, and they can lead to low self-esteem, lack of trust, and negative self-talk. It’s important that we recognize when we are being exposed to these harmful messages, and that we surround ourselves with people who practice unconditional love and support. We should also practice self-love and self-care, and remind ourselves that we are worthy of love just as we are.
Remind yourself that you are beloved.
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[image from Pixabay]
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