In Love With All

I wonder what would happen if
I treated everyone like I was in love
with them, whether I like them or not
and whether they respond or not and no matter
what they say or do to me and even if I see
things in them which are ugly, twisted, petty,
cruel, vain, deceitful, indifferent, just accept
all that and turn my attention to some small
weak tender hidden part and keep my eyes on
that until it shines like a beam of light
like a bonfire I can warm my hands by...

~Derek Tasker

Uconditional Positive Regard

Developed by Dr. Carl Rogers

Sitting in silence and accepting everything the person says without judgment or interpretation.

"Before a session I take a moment to remember my humanity.   There is no experience that this man has that I cannot share with him, no fear that I cannot understand, no suffering that I cannot care about, because I too am human.   No matter how deep his wound, he does not need to be ashamed in front of me.  I too am vulnerable.  And because of this, I am enough.   Whatever his story, he no longer needs to be alone with it.   This is what will allow his healing to begin."