I’m not shy about saying “I love you.” It’s a sentiment each of us expresses; sometimes with reticence and other times with wild abandon. Recently I found myself asking, “What does it really mean to love?” The exercise proved to be deeper and richer than what I initially anticipated.

Love is most commonly defined as, and associated with, a feeling of deep affection.  Although true it doesn’t go far enough. What is love’s essence? Does it impact how I’m being? If our internal state is reflected in what we do and what we experience, then love must reveal itself through action affecting both the giver and the receiver.

People watching is one of my favorite pastimes. I enjoy it because it’s a great way to silently observe, and witness to, many faces of love—a wink of an eye, a pat on the head, a spontaneous smile, a helpful hand, a reassuring glance. These seemingly “small” gestures are examples of how love manifests every day; using our bodies as conduits to cross over from the invisible to the visible.

The love of a parent for a child provides a wide-open window into the nature of love. Yes it is patient and kind but it is also protective, nurturing, gentle, encouraging, supportive, accepting, and understanding. There are no limits to what we might do to secure the well being of our children.

Love between friends is often expressed by a sharing of confidences, a “no-questions asked” shoulder to lean on when times get tough, a space for silliness, and frequent calls “just because.” It’s being there when needed no matter the time or circumstance. Or perhaps it’s expressed through a bowl of pasta, prepared with love’s secret sauce and eaten with abandon in an atmosphere of joyful camaraderie.

As I contemplated the many forms love embodies to color our world, I couldn’t help but turn my attention to the nature of God’s love for us. A Course in Miracles assures us that we are “wholly loved and wholly loving.” Stop and think about this. Let it sink in. Wholly loved means completely, totally, entirely, to the greatest extent possible. No conditions. Wow…But, my mind queried, “Where is the evidence?” and “How do I experience this love?”

As I thought I looked out my window and saw blue sky and a flock of birds flying gracefully overhead. Snow capped mountains stood tall, impenetrable, and proud in the distance. I eyed the water at the west side of my property dancing cheerfully as wave after wave collapsed within itself. Out of the corner of my eye tall green trees were swaying in the wind. And above everything, high in the sky, distant yet near, was a giant, shining ball of light providing warmth and comfort indiscriminately, sustaining and maintaining all I saw.

The serenity and harmony of the scene made an immediate impression. “This is God in action,” I thought. Underlying everything I look upon is an invisible, loving intelligence actively caring for and providing us with all we could possibly need to grow and prosper.

As these thoughts entered my mind and took hold I experienced an overwhelming sense of wonder and gratitude. I looked down at my hands as if seeing them for the first time. God isn’t just outside my window; He’s inside of me…literally. Every single atom that makes up my body is moving in rhythm to an invisible conductor, with no effort on my part. Billions of atoms, each assigned a specific task and aligned collectively within a specified function are working harmoniously, and in concert with, other bodily functions. The result is an intelligent, protective, self-healing, nurturing, perfect, whole, and complete non-stop energy enterprise appearing as Marguerite.

With a sense of awe I realized that this invisible power and intelligence, nourishing and sustaining me, is the source of my life. It is the substance of my body and all its activity. This is Love with a capital “L!” It is not a feeling that comes and goes at whim. It is the unifying force that underpins all life forms and makes us one.

I am “wholly loving” only to the degree I defer to this Force within me and allow It to be present in the world through my words and actions. Can you imagine expressing love completely, totally, entirely, and to the greatest extent possible? That is our capability! That is our natural state of being!

Feeling love and affection towards another is a beautiful thing. Yet being love in action is even more beautiful. In this sacred “doing” we become vessels carrying precious cargo to everyone we meet. “And,” I think to myself, “What a wonderful world this could be.”