A Love Freely Given

Compassion, in its purest essence, is a healer beyond measure. Love—true love—is not a sculptor, chiseling away at another’s edges to fit an ideal. No, love is the gentle sunbeam that warms a frozen river until it flows of its own accord, shaping its path as it will.  

To love another is not to demand metamorphosis but to offer a space so sacred, so untainted by judgment, that transformation becomes inevitable. Not a conversion to some imposed image but a blossoming into the highest expression of one’s soul. This is the magic of love: it liberates rather than confines, elevates rather than possesses.  

Imagine the sheer miracle of being held in a gaze that does not seek to alter you but honors you as you are—your essence, imperfections, tangled thoughts, and tender scars. It is to be seen not for what you do or what you have but for the raw, radiant being that pulses beneath all pretense. A love like this does not measure or withhold; it simply 'is' as effortless and essential as breath.  

And oh, what a transformation it ignites! A love freely given, with no expectation or demand, is the balm that coaxes the weary soul from its solitude. Suddenly, the world appears reborn. The sky hums with possibility. Footsteps become lighter, laughter spills easier, and the once-muted colors of life regain their brilliance. A single touch, a single moment of unconditional acceptance, and the frozen parts of ourselves begin to thaw.  

This is why love—real love—is nourishment. It does not barter affection for obedience. It does not tally shortcomings or issue ultimatums. It stands unwavering as an invitation: 'Be as you are. I will love you still.'  

So, let love remain untamed. Let it be a sanctuary, not a prison. Let it weave harmony instead of discord. Acceptance instead of judgment. In such love, we do not merely exist—we become.  

Let it last. Let it heal. Let it be the revolution that starts in the heart.  

- Katie Kamara

My Dragon Dream

 

From Journal Entry 6/25/24

I'm in the yard of my childhood home.  I spot a translucent dragon in the sky flying towards me. I run to the house and lock the door.

A dragon dream can signify a powerful awakening, your inner fire demanding recognition. They remind us to face our fears, seek knowledge, and live in alignment with your inner truths. They call us to master ourselves and remind you of your hidden power waiting to be unleashed.

Until You're Finished Being Single

I'm going to say this once. 

Never get into a serious relationship until you're finished being single. 

Never invite someone into your life if you don't have the space for them in your life to begin with. 

Never open up a person's heart with no intention on catching them when they fall in love with you. 

There are good genuine people in the dating world right now willing to give everything they are to have a stable and healthy relationship with someone they have longed for ever since they can remember. 

Take my advice and if you're not ready to step up to the plate, take your hands off another person's future. 

~ Cody Bret

The Dreams of Emery

Emery was a childhood friend of my brother. He was over often. We would play together... chasing each other through the house and playing hide and seek. Emery was the first boy I had a crush on. 

My freshman year of high school would be the last I'd see of him. I moved to Phoenix from East Peoria, Illinois (1991).   But over the years I'd have dreams of him. There are 3 that stand out.

In the first dream Emery was using drugs. He was in despair and wanted help but felt all alone. 

That dream prompted me to try to find him. I couldn't find him but found his brother Byron and his wife. I sent Byron's wife a message through Facebook.  I told her who I was and the dream I had of Emery.  She never replied. So I let it go.

Around 2016, I had another dream. This one was just as alarming.  In the dream Emery was in a house. There were police sirens out front. The cops busted in. He was trying to hide from them but was arrested. 

I did an internet search and found an article from the Pekin police department about his arrest. He was arrested for a sexual assult with a minor. I was shocked!

In the third dream, Emery showed me a memory from his childhood.  A partner/ boyfriend of his mother molested him. 

His parents were divorced.  When I knew him in my youth, he lived with his dad. His mom lived in Jacksonville, Florida.  I remember he moved there for a short time during school.  The dream gave me insight into his childhood wounds and his mental state. 

In 2023, I had another dream about him. This time when I looked him up on the internet, I found his obituary dating back to 2020. I was shocked! The Emery I remembered had so much talent, charisma, and potential.  

There are victims amongst us... they could be friends or coworkers or even our partners that harbour dark secrets. They move through life masking their pain. They live with depression, shame, and guilt. It's important to pray for others. It's important to be conscious of others that suffer. It's important not to forget the names of those we love who suffer also from addiction and keep them always in our hearts. 

Your Soul Knows

 

If your inner teacher tells you that you need time for yourself, listen to it.

If your soul tells you that you no longer vibrate with some people you used to share with, calm down is part of your evolution.

If your spirit asks you to connect more and start working on your balance, listen to it.

If your body asks you to eat better, walk and sleep more hours, allow it.

If your life tells you that this job is no longer for you, it's time to take a new course.

If your heart tells you that you no longer feel full with that partner, follow your heart, it knows the way.

If your life tells you to change your habits, thoughts and routines, look for other ways.

If your heart screams for you to travel, do it and don't make excuses.

You know what medicine you need.

Learn to listen to yourself, connect with your inner teacher and open up to all the signs that come your way.

~ Author Unknown 

Resilience is a Quiet Defiance

Ernest Hemingway once wrote: "The hardest lesson I’ve had to learn as an adult is the relentless need to keep going, no matter how shattered I feel inside."

This truth is both raw and universal. Life doesn’t pause when our hearts are heavy, our minds are fractured, or our spirits feel like they’re unraveling. It keeps moving—unrelenting, unapologetic—demanding that we move with it. There’s no time to stop, no pause for repair, no moment of stillness where we can gently piece ourselves back together. The world doesn’t wait, even when we need it to.

What makes this even harder is that no one really prepares us for it. As children, we grow up on a steady diet of stories filled with happy endings, tales of redemption and triumph where everything always falls into place. But adulthood strips away those comforting narratives. Instead, it reveals a harsh truth: survival isn’t glamorous or inspiring most of the time. It’s wearing a mask of strength when you’re falling apart inside. It’s showing up when all you want is to retreat. It’s choosing to move forward, step by painful step, when your heart begs for rest.

And yet, we endure. That’s the miracle of being human—we endure. Somewhere in the depths of our pain, we find reserves of strength we didn’t know we possessed. We learn to hold space for ourselves, to be the comfort we crave, to whisper words of hope when no one else does. Over time, we realize that resilience isn’t loud or grandiose; it’s a quiet defiance, a refusal to let life’s weight crush us entirely.

Yes, it’s messy. Yes, it’s exhausting. And yes, there are days when it feels almost impossible to take another step. But even then, we move forward. Each tiny step is proof of our resilience, a reminder that even in our darkest moments, we’re still fighting, still refusing to give up. That fight—that courage—is the quiet miracle of survival.

~ Author Unknown 

When a Man Shows Up

A lot of people ask what men truly want, and the answer is really simple. A woman can’t fully honor and appreciate a man’s efforts if she doesn’t feel safe and secure with him. This is something we all need to understand. When a man creates that sense of safety, she will naturally give back love, care, and respect.

When a man takes responsibility and shows up with honesty, he creates a space where his partner feels protected. This is what allows her to open up, to trust, and to love fully. She feels safe, not just physically, but emotionally too. And when a woman feels secure, she will treat her partner with admiration and kindness. She will see him as her rock, someone she can count on.

It’s not about controlling the relationship or demanding respect. It’s about doing what’s right, being there for each other in both the good and tough times. When a man does that, he earns his partner’s love in a way that’s real and deep. She will honor him because she knows he’s got her back.

Men often want to feel like they’re valued, like their efforts matter. But this doesn’t come from forcing it. It comes naturally when a man shows care and responsibility. A woman who feels secure with her partner will give her heart fully. She’ll support him, respect him, and show him love without holding back.

When a man listens, understands, and stands by his partner, she will feel that connection and give him all the love he needs. It’s not about grand gestures; it’s the small, everyday actions that show he cares. That’s what makes her want to treat him like a king.

A man’s role is to make his partner feel safe, emotionally and physically. When he does that, he earns her respect. She knows she can rely on him, and this builds a trust that’s hard to break. With that trust comes love, admiration, and a deeper bond.

This isn’t about one person doing all the work; it’s about being there for each other. A man who creates that feeling of safety will have a partner who supports him and shows him love in return. She will be his strength, just as he is hers.

No relationship is perfect, and there will be times when things feel hard. But if both partners are committed to making each other feel safe and appreciated, they can get through anything together. It’s all about showing up for one another with love and care.

If a man takes responsibility and makes his partner feel secure, he will be treated with love, care, and respect. It’s a natural give-and-take that creates a strong and lasting connection. He’ll feel like a king, not because he asks for it, but because he has earned it by being a steady, loving partner.

So, my dear friends, when a man steps into his role with responsibility, he will receive all the love, attention, and honor he desires. It’s not about being perfect, but about creating a space where both partners can feel safe and loved. And when that happens, love flows naturally, and both partners thrive.

- Abhikesh