The other day, I was just about to lose it at my kids. They were fighting in the backseat of the car, screaming in each other’s faces until one of them unleashed a full-out ugly tantrum. You know the kind — that makes your blood boil and makes you want to yell louder than them. But, I stopped myself. Instead, I remembered a quote from a story in this issue of Inspire Magazine.
“We should be loving them.” The last thing I wanted to do was love these two little monsters that ignored every plea or threat I made to have him and her stop. But the words tugged at my heart and for a second drowned out the chaos in the back. I pulled into the nearest parking lot, unbuckled the kids, picked them up one at a time and hugged them. My arms tightly wrapped around them, with their heads resting on my shoulder as they cried in the empty carpool lot. Within minutes the tears stopped. I got back behind the wheel and we enjoyed a calm, quiet ride home. All of us felt better.
Love is a powerful tool. It is far more effective than any punishment. Research has also proven how a gentle touch can lower stress hormones and improve your blood pressure. I was a perfect case study for this.
In this issue, you will read several stories of people who chose to care and love for others even if situations made it difficult. It’s in those times, when it’s hardest to love, them that we need to love them. It builds compassion – in you and in them. It trains their brains to react differently, to feel the power of love. Why yell when you could share an intimate connection and resolve an issue at the same time.
That scary behaviour may actually be their cry for love.