Originally Published: March 16th, 2021
Kate and Toby
Recently, my husband Michael and I started watching the powerful family drama, This Is Us, on Netflix.
We immediately fell in love with the show.
We’re nearing the end of the first season, and as I prepared to dive into writing Rule #36 – Do Not Carelessly Throw Love Away, I thought about Kate’s struggle to accept Toby’s love; and at times she would throw it away.
In other words, she would push away someone who wants to love her.
It’s scary stuff, letting someone love me.
In my past, those I love and trusted have betrayed, hurt me.
So, what is love?
Love takes a lot of work.
Period.
Love starts off as a possibility then grows just as a plant does – with nurturing and care.
You can’t plant an apple seed in the snow. The conditions to grow the seed are not right. The seed will die.
Love is the same thing.
Love needs time to grow with conditions such as mutual respect, vulnerability, communication, loyalty, honesty, and trust.
Sometimes, it feels easier to run than expose my vulnerabilities and take a deep dive into love.
Once again asking myself, “What is love?”.
It is here when I might risk to carelessly throw love away; to run or sabotage the relationship.
Learning to accept Michael’s love becomes easier with time.
I have to be brave.
I have to take risks and learn to be vulnerable.
Then, over the years, these vulnerable moments begin to accumulate.
I begin to understand what love is.
So why carelessly throw away such a gift, when its authenticity is so difficult to find.
S,❤️
55 Rules For Love
Introduction Of My Blog Series On The “55 Rules For Love”
55 Rules For Love – Rule #1 – When It Arrives, Cherish It
55 Rules For Love – Rule #2 – Whatever You Accept, You Will Get
55 Rules For Love – Rule # 5 – Don’t Say Words With The Intent To Hurt
55 Rules For Love – Rule # 6 – Accept And Forgive Easily
55 Rules For Love – Rule #7 – Don’t Be Scared To Disagree, It Is Healthy
55 Rules For Love – Rule #8 – Never Be Too Busy For Each Other
55 Rules For Love – Rule #9 – Do Not Punish
55 Rules For Love – Rule #10 – Accept Honest Criticism, It Is Good For Us
55 Rules For Love – Rule #11 – Admit When You Are Wrong, Quickly
55 Rules For Love – Rule #12 – Support Each Other When The Going Gets Tough
55 Rules For Love – Rule # 13 – Live In The Moment – Be Present
55 Rules For Love – Rule #14 – Leave The Past Where It Belongs
55 Rules For Love – Rule #15 – Leave Drama Out Of It
55 Rules For Love – Rule #16 – Don’t Try To Control
55 Rules For Love – Rule #17 – Allow A Small Amount of Jealousy
55 Rules For Love – Rule #18 – Don’t Use Comparisons
55 Rules For Love – Rule #19 – Celebrate Differences
55 Rules For Love – Rule #20 – Communicate Openly and Honestly
55 Rules For Love – Rule #21 – Listen Very Carefully
55 Rules For Love – Rule #22 – Don’t Judge
55 Rules For Love – Rule # 23 – Don’t Manipulate To Get Results
55 Rules For Love – Rule # 24 – Learn and Grow
55 Rules For Love – Rule #25 – Don’t Try To Change Each Other
55 Rules For Love – Rule #26 – Don’t Condemn Each Other’s Family and Friends
55 Rules For Love – Rule #27 – Lines, Flaws and Imperfections are Beautiful
55 Rules For Love – Rule #28 – Trust Your Instincts, But Don’t Be Paranoid
55 Rules For Love – Rule #30 – Instead of Power, Aim For Balance
55 Rules for Love – Rule #31 – Space Is Needed To Breathe And To Grow
55 Rules for Love – Rule #32 – Accept That You Are Both Unique – Never Compare
55 Rules For Love – Rule #33 – Have Fun, Laugh and Play – A Lot
55 Rules For Love – Rule #34 – Be Each Other’s Best Friend
55 Rules For Love – Rule #35 – Don’t Play Mind Games
55 Rules For Love – Rule #36 – Do Not Carelessly Throw Away Love
55 Rules For Love – Rule #37 – Don’t Waste Energy With Negative Thoughts
55 Rules For Love – Rule #38 – Compliment Often
55 Rules For Love – Rule #39 – Discover Each Other
55 Rules For Love – Rule #40 – Be Attentive And Understand What’s Not Said
55 Rules For Love – Rule #41 – Do At Least One Romantic And Thoughtful Thing Every Day
55 Rules For Love – Rule #42 – Take Picnics And Sleep Under The Stars
55 Rules For Love – Rule #43 – Don’t Just Speak About It, Show Love
55 Rules For Love – Rule #44 – Walk Together, Cook Together, Bathe Together, Read Together
55 Rules For Love – Rule #45 – Do Not Be Afraid, Love Requires Surrender
55 Rules For Love – Rule #46 – Be Loyal And Faithful
55 Rules For Love – Rule #47 – Trust
55 Rules For Love – Rule # 48 – Be Grateful
55 Rules For Love – Rule #49 – Fluidity Is Good, Accept Change
55 Rules For Love – Rule #50 – Don’t Sleep On A Fight
55 Rules For Love – Rule #51 – Don’t Cling To It, Know When To Let Go
55 Rules For Love – Rule #52 – Discover What Turns You Both On And Explore It
55 Rules For Love – Rule #53 – Make Love, But Also F*ck (Regularly)
55 Rules For Love – Rule #54 – Give And Receive Without Measure
55 Rules For Love – Rule #55 – Never Gamble With What You Can’t Afford To Lose
I love it too! Maggie
It’s SUCH an incredible television show! My favorite is Beth and Randall – their marriage – no secrets. We’re just finishing season one, so I’m sure there will be some twists and turns along the way. I just love how they communicate with each other! Beth calls it for what it is, and is so feisty. Loved it when Randall said, “Everything is better with a little Beth on it”.
Yes they’re a great couple. It continues to be excellent and dives deeper and deeper into each character “s traits especially faults.
Oh no!!! LOL!
I need to find it on Netflix, I watched it when it first came on TV years ago I think but haven’t seen it in forever.
I hope you find it. If you do, get your box of Kleenex….
Love really does start as a weak but full of potential seed, but it needs the right conditions to grow. It needs consistent care, patience, and the right amount of trust, communication, and understanding to grow strong and tough, just like a plant.
Exactly.💛🌻