You were born in love
Our tiny bodies eat and sleep with love
Our caregivers tend with love
It is our responsibility as we progress to extend that love, no matter how complicated or hidden it may be, to our next encounter

And us waking up to that sacred duty is the first real step toward enlightenment.
Enlightenment is a wonderful and powerful experience that is most certainly a job. I grew up hearing about enlightenment in a different verbiage
we called it being saved and I always thought that once you were saved your work was done.
I was wrong, it actually meant you were just getting started.
I can’t help but think of the first step in AA, admitting you have a problem, then and only then can the remaining 11 steps be approached.
I have had a complex and transforming relationship with a life alongside pure love and the deliberate relinquishing of my burden, predetermined (karma) and otherwise, and after five hard fought years from step one, I can finally say I have the hang of it and, if need be, I am prepared to die in the comfort of pure love.
I’ll only wake and, ultimately, meet you there
And oh what a lovely encounter that will be.