It can certainly look like some people in our life are anything but a blessing, but things are seldom as they appear. Once I am willing to open myself up to the idea that everything is a blessing in some way, I’ve found that those who are my greatest challenge transform into the greatest blessings–If I’m willing to look for it and determined to see it.
A friend of mine went to a benefit at the local zoo recently. While they were wandering through her friend unexpectedly pressed her hands against the great ape glass enclosure and repeated, “I love you,” over and over. After several repetitions, a large silver-back sauntered over to the glass and placed his hands over hers and looked into her eyes. She repeated this same exercise with the camels and they too came to glass. (And then some men in white coats came and “escorted” her out. Wink.)
I’m definitely an animal lover and as much as I don’t know that I would feel moved to do this, it did spark an idea. How many people did I have in my life who I see as having done me wrong, who just annoy me, and who I see in a negative light? How many people do I keep in glass enclosures, far away from me, and far away from idea of extending love to them? And how might this be keeping me imprisoned? As I thought about this, a little exercise came to mind.
Close your eyes and allow yourself to just sink into a relaxed state. Imagine you’re walking into a glorious Zoo. As you look up at the entrance, light is beaming from the sign and there’s a soft glow on the path leading inwards. You walk along the path lined with glorious, aromatic flowers. Birds are chirping and butterflies dance all around.
You walk up to the first glass enclosure and know that whoever you see there is there to bless you. As you approach it, there’s someone off in a distant corner. Just notice who you see behind. Try not to censor it or consciously control it, but rather allow whoever needs to be there to be revealed to you, keeping clearly in thought that they are there only to bless you–no matter who it is.
Place your hands on the glass and imagine yourself saying, “I love you,” over and over and just see what happens. Once you feel you’re done with the first enclosure, move on to the next, and the next.
The beautiful thing is that we don’t even have to feel the love we are professing and it’s even okay if we feel anything but love. It’s actually more likely that you won’t feel it at first because those people that show up in our enclosures will most likely be those who we feel some sort of animosity towards, as these are the areas we need healing–it’s here we need to allow the light to shine. It’s here that we find our own release from the glass enclosures in our life.
It’s never the love we don’t receive that hurts us; it’s the love that we withhold. No matter how it might seem, there is nothing that can prevent us from loving and thus finding our own freedom, except our own decision to do so.
Princess Sassy Pants & Co.™ 
Your sweet wisdom is so helpful, keeping an eye centered as to what Hevenly Father is teacing us through you is most helpful…
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What a wonderful testimony.
I too have some glass enclosures. The one’s that appear in my state of relaxation don’t seem to always reciprocate the love I thought I needed. Maybe your right. “It is the love that I’m withholding”. I approach things differently now. I am free to love the world as a whole. I give much of myself, but now I do it without expecting anything in return. This has brought me such freedom and has allowed me to express myself truly.
Thank you for sharing. Your always an inspiration to me princess. All my love (without an enclosure). Lol
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Hahaha! Back atcha!
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What a beautiful message an inspiring idea!!! Thank you for sharing your light!!!
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So happy you find it helpful–It felt inspired when the idea came to me. I love when that happens! xo
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I needed this today!❤️
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Great! I need it every day. Hehe. 😉
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