How can healthy love flow easily toward you if you don’t embody the type of love you desire? 

I’ve prayed that I will receive the type of love/loving relationship that I desire at some point. But the truth is, I was never ready for it. I’ve been closed off because of past experiences and having ties to someone. I’ve had a pattern of loving those whose love comes with difficulties and complexities. I’ve loved the most difficult of men – men who are hard to love but I’ve loved them regardless. I love despite flaws. My love has never come with conditions because I don’t see love that way. However, because of this, I’ve been hurt multiple times. I’m still figuring out love, and although love has been painful for me at times, I now understand that to receive love, I have to embody love.

– Erykah A.