LOVE, ACTUALLY.

Words: Annia Baron

Once there was a man who felt the world deeply. As a boy he wept when he saw others being mistreated or enduring hardship. All he wanted to do was help and knew in his heart that he would somehow change the world. But his biggest dream? True love. See, he wasn’t like the others. As he watched his friends chase money, accolades, and things, he quietly trusted that his actions of ahimsa, and the pursuit of a humble, benevolent life would lead him to live out his wish.

He was incredibly wise. He saw beyond what most could see. But everywhere he looked, his eyes were pierced with falsehoods attempting to malaise his mind. “You’re missing out.” “We’ll show you how to be rich and successful.” “All the women will love you if you look like this, smell like that or wear that suit.” “Have this job, buy these things and you’ll be fulfilled indefinitely.”

Every year corporations spend billions of dollars to understand our psychology so they can market products and services to us. They employ highly educated specialists in neuroscience and human behaviour to gain control over our emotions. They know how to manipulate our desire for belonging and they devise ways of triggering scarcity and self-doubt. “Look what everyone else is doing. Don’t they look so happy? Don’t you wish you were like us too?”

The goal is to turn you into someone who relies on them to feel good. This way, you’ll be a life-long lover of the stuff they dangle in front of you. They think you’re less intelligent than they are. They assume you’ll be dazzled by the smoke and mirrors instead of knowing that what really matters is love, actually. And love doesn’t need stuff. Love is inextricably linked to simplicity – acts of consideration, understanding, and the freedom to feel heard and be seen. This is what we seek. This is what we know to make us happy. Ask anyone what they prefer for Valentine’s Day: another thing covered in red love hearts and plastic roses or feeling deeply loved, sharing enriching experiences that ooze joy and connection with the ones we care for the most.

But you, who is evolving into an awakened lover – of yourself, others, and the world – are of course their worst nightmare. You’re the one they lose sleep over. They worry you’ll be revolutionary and influence others to do the same; to choose love over shiny objects, to act with kindness over conformity, to be free-thinking instead of fearful. Because as more people follow their heart, the happier and more cohesive the world will be. Inevitably, less brainwashing and indoctrination will exist.

Not impervious to the challenges of living in a modern world, the young boy grew into a man and earnestly kept to his path. He prioritised his mindset and cared for his heart space, training himself to see beyond what was shown, and put energy into the experiences that cultivated inner happiness for himself and others. Above all, he tried his best to treat every being with respect and appreciated his blessings...and his lessons.

Today, he lives out his dream. Those who know him can feel his aura. Those who hear him speak absorb his wisdom. He spends his days watching his happy wife dancing in the garden and his playful baby boy admiring vibrant flower petals. He feels rich beyond measure and wishes every man and woman to experience the same sort of love.

Whether partnered or not, true love begins with cherishing yourself, and then spreading that love out into the world. True love is about following your dream, no matter how different it may seem to the cool and normal that’s aimed at penetrating our psychology.

Keep evolving. Keep loving. Keep following your path.

Annia Baron is a Clinical Psychologist & Mindset Coach. Want to learn more about mindset tools to create a life you desire and deserve? Get in touch on Instagram @anniabaron or visit www.remindyourself.com.

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