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Reading by Liz Helgesen (Download file )
There’s one in you who’s sweet.
There’s one in you who’s mean.
Can you love them both?
Can you let them both be seen?
Can you love the one who tries?
And love her when she fails?
Can you love the one who lies?
And love the one who wails?
Can you love your tears?
Can you love your worry?
Can you love your darkest fears?
Can you love your fury?
Can you love indifference?
Love the one who clings?
Can you love the vibrant one?
Love the one who sings?
Can you love your addict?
Can you love your thief?
Can you love your vanity?
Can you love your grief?
Can you love your inner child?
And your body as you age?
Can you love your wild side?
Release her from her cage?
Can you love the one fulfilled?
And the one who’s not?
Can you love the one who’s chilled?
And whose temper’s hot?
Can you love the weakling?
The one who’s sometimes sick?
Can you love the warrior?
Who fights through thin and thick?
Can you love your crazy?
Can you love your sane?
Can you love your foolish heart?
Love your scattered brain?
There’s one in you who’s bored.
And one who’s often stressed
Can you love them both at once?
And she who tries her best?
If the answer’s “no.”
To some of the above
Then can you love the one in you
Who’s learning how to love?
--Leah Pearlman
SEED QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: The poet draws our attention to a remarkable level of acceptance - how do you relate to using love as a practice to be able to embrace all that is? How can we stand up for our truth and at the same time love those who are not aligned with that truth? Can you share a personal story of loving someone while disagreeing with their actions?