I wrote about choosing love years ago. As I read it back now, I see how much I’ve grown into these words. Here’s what choosing love means to me today.

When I first wrote about choosing love, I was trying to put words to something that felt urgent in my heart. I still believe every bit of it. I just understand it differently now.

Back then, I thought choosing love mostly meant loving bigger… loving harder, loving even when it was inconvenient. Now I see that choosing love also means choosing wisely. It means surrounding yourself with people who don’t just receive your love, but return it. It means recognizing that love isn’t meant to drain you dry.

For a long time, especially as a mom, I believed that loving well meant pouring constantly. Showing up. Giving grace. Being the steady one. And while that’s still part of me, I’ve learned something important:

Love is not a one-way street.

Choosing love sometimes means choosing your people.

Choosing the ones who show up gently.

Choosing the ones who make space for you, too.

I still believe everyone is deserving of love.

But I no longer believe everyone is entitled to equal access to my energy. That was a hard lesson.

There are people who move through the world carrying frustration, anger, or heaviness. And while I still try to respond with kindness when I can, I’ve learned that choosing love doesn’t mean absorbing everything.

Sometimes choosing love looks like:

• a kind word in the checkout line

• a quiet boundary

• walking away without escalating

• protecting your peace without hardening your heart

It’s small. It’s steady. It’s intentional.

Choosing love isn’t about being agreeable.

It’s about being aligned.

And I’m still practicing.

Always.

If you care to read the original post, go here.

With love,

Mindy