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Is Unconditional Love Even Possible?

Prompt: What do you think unconditional love is, and how would you act if you loved yourself unconditionally?

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When I think of unconditional love, I say “Wow, is this even possible?” Just who can love anyone no matter what? When I try to find a description of unconditional love, regardless of what the dictionaries say, I only come up with: as-is love.

As is? Can we love someone who kills our children, maims our pets, or burns our houses down? Can we love people who maliciously attack our country with acts of terrorism? Yes, we can be lenient, maybe, but love?

With most people, love is never free. We see that in their actions. Most of the time love is earned, and sometimes, well-earned…hopefully. Even then, there's always an expectation attached, at least, the expectation of not being wounded by those who are so loved.

I strongly believe that it is understandable and perfectly acceptable when we do not want a loved one to hurt us or to be hurtful to others. On the other hand, to hold someone we love responsible for our happiness is not love at all. Some people, however erroneously, demand this. If you are not happy with your life at work, you cannot expect your partner to make up for your unhappiness.

At times, people who profess true love can hold back their love; such as mothers, although they may be doing it with the best of intentions. So, it means there’s a caveat even in what we consider the purest forms of loves.

Sorry if I am going to ruffle up some religious feathers, but even the Creator, according to most religious texts, has a place called Hell, and His love is regarded as the only top unconditional love there is.

Having said all that, I am quite forgiving of the foibles, missteps, or impulsive acts that are negative where most people in my life are concerned. Still, if I can help it, would I let anyone do anything hurtful to me or to those I love? Definitely not. Well, so much for my exercising unconditional love.

As for loving myself unconditionally, sorry, but it ain’t happening. I understand and defend myself for those thoughts and acts I have committed unknowingly or without enough information, but I have not, shall not, and do not excuse me if I ever hurt anyone or anything on purpose.

I am also hard on myself for my tiny acts of carelessness, although with age they are bound to happen more often and they are now happening to me. Still, after I think about them, I give myself a forgiving hand especially when that act is unintentional.

It may just be that I am not capable of unconditional love. Maybe no one is.