Love Lessons Learned

Hello and welcome to the Cochran Insanity-Laugh-Til-It-Hurts hour with your host Selena Cochran and her wanna be trusty sidekicks Obi Malcolm Wan Kenobi and Princess Riah, illustrious ruler of Bratz Barbie kingdom.

In this segment, your Most Awesome Head Mommy of the Universe will discuss what her sidekicks taught her about love. And now, heeeeeeeeeeere’s Selena!

Ok, this is where someone ought to yell CUT!! Now, where were we? Ah yes, lessons about love.

Being a parent, I’ve had the splendiferous (yes, that’s a word) privilege of raising 2 of the biggest, most awesome pain in the tucus children this side of heaven. I’ve laughed til I’ve cried and cried til I couldn’t do anything else. But throughout this treasure of a journey, I’ve learned a few important lessons along the way. And now, God only knows why I’m passing this wisdom on to you so you’ll think twice about having kids pass these gems along to others you know. Here goes…

Lesson #1: It’s Gonna Cost You

Obi: can I play superhero with you?

Riah: sure but your Batman’s gotta wear this pink thing on his head, house rules.

For those of you who haven’t heard already, love COSTS something. Whether it’s swallowing your pride and offering an apology (even when you’re not at fault) or learning to place someone’s needs, wants and feelings above your own: loving someone isn’t easy. And more often than not it means you’ve got to give something up . As the saying goes, love maybe free but it sure ain’t cheap!

Lesson #2: Be Patient

Riah: can I borrow this pencil?

Obi: Sure. (3 seconds later) You done yet?

We all have those moments where we want our loved ones, spouses or even children to hurry up and “be” who we think they should be or “do” what we think they should do. We tend to forget that our special ones–just like everything else in life–can only grow or reach their optimal potential through life’s processes–not ours. Remember, no matter how much you water a plant it will only blossom when it’s time.

Lesson #3: Answer Softly

Obi: hey! You spit food on my shoe!!

Riah: (laughing hysterically) My bad!

Obi: yeah, I know it’s bad but what does have to do with me?!?

Riah: (shrugs shoulders) good question.

In too many instances, we trample on the feelings, thoughts and beliefs of loved ones. For many of us it’s habit; for others it’s intentional. Regardless of where you fall on the spectrum, casting aside other’s feelings serves one purpose: to glorify self. Love does not live on a pedestal. Love–real love–is the absence of self-preservation. It means showering others with the same courtesies and respect that you demand for yourself.

And so I leave you with these final thoughts….

“Love is patient and is kind. Love does not envy nor does it boast–it does not parade itself nor is it puffed up. Love does not behave rudely; it does not rejoice when another falls but it rejoices in truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things and endures all things. LOVE NEVER FAILS.”

Thanks for visiting,

Selena