Love is the predominant force in our lives from the time we are born.

We enter this world feeling at one with all that surrounds us - an experience of connection and love. But that feeling fades as we begin to think of ourselves as separate from others and the world.

Deep within we maintain a memory of that feeling and continually seek to reawaken it. We usually pursue it indirectly, hoping for others or the world to bring it to us. The direct way is allowing it to ourselves regardless of the circumstances of our lives.

That feeling seeks to emerge within each of us in this moment -and every moment - as does the sun during an eclipse. We give it many names: joy, happiness, recognition, connection, peace of mind, freedom, nurturance, forgiveness, compassion, kindness, appreciation, among others. What blocks that feeling is our thoughts about the past, our judgment of the present and our worries about the future. Love may focus on a person, place, or object, but it actually is a feeling independent of them we can decide to allow ourselves. And as we do this it opens our eyes, our minds, and our hearts.