“She just smiled, said that she loved books more than anything, and started telling him excitedly what each of the ones in her lap was about. And Ove realized that he wanted to hear her talking about the things she loved for the rest of his life.” ― Fredrik Backman, A Man Called Ove.
I came across this quote this morning and it started a wonderful reflection on my part. I recommend it to you all. Sit in a quiet room, perhaps with your favorite cup of coffee or tea and reflect on things you love. (Note: I don’t say loved, that reflection is for another day.) No, reflect on things you love in the present.
It wasn’t a sudden, blinding flash of romance for Ove; it was the quiet, undeniable realization that the world, for him, had become infinitely better with her voice, her passion, and her presence. He wasn’t reflecting on their past or promising a future; he was simply captivated by the moment.
Sometimes, we feel beat up by people telling us to “love.” “Love your neighbor, love your enemies, love your third cousin.” This morning, keep it in the present like the fictional character Ove. When I did, I found a sense of calm come over me, a sense of feeling good all over.
This is a very private reflection. You don’t have to tell a soul what you love or why, that would spoil it. This reflection needs no audience. Telling others can sometimes diminish the experience by turning a sincere feeling into a performance. This private meditation is about cultivating emotional gratitude—the deep-seated, calm feeling that everything is alright, right now.
If you continue this practice of intentionally focusing on the things you love in the present tense, I suspect you will find a quiet revolution occurring within you. Your world and attitude won’t just “improve”; they will become resilient. You will move through your days not as someone who needs to be reminded to love, but as someone who is already rich in affection, a person whose very outlook is shaped by the things he/she actively appreciates.
The lesson from Ove is not simply that he found love, but that he was finally willing to pay attention to the specific beauty in front of him. That willingness is what changes everything.
I say my positive affirmations every morning. Great way to start the day