I love what she says beforehand in the live version: "it's not about wanting a specific person; it's not to a specific person. This song is to God, to the energy of love to come and bless my life. And that's why I love this song so much, because every time I sing it, it is my affirmation, because I am ready for love." I appreciate that, because I'm at the point in my life where there is no one of particular interest or special meaning in my life romantically, but I am still ready for love in the sense that love should be a daily reality despite your relationship status. And being ready for and open to love makes things that much better. Everyone wants/needs love, but if you are in a place where you are unable to receive it because of emotional baggage or issues, then all the love in the world could be injected straight into your veins, but you wouldn't be able to receive it in its fullness.
So, let's take the song itself: "I am ready for love - why are you hiding from me? I would quickly give my freedom to be held in your captivity." I do have wonder about the captivity, especially since love is not in the business of capturing anyone or holding them against their will or in any way that inhibits freedom... But it can sometimes seem that love is hard to find, especially in the world/society in which we live that emphasizes wealth, status, and performance as means of determining value. But I think giving love when we can opens us to the love that is available, even in obscure or unexpected locations.
"I am ready for love - all of the joy and the pain and all the time that it takes just to stay in your good grace." It is a mature assessment to understand that there can be pain in love. As for working to stay in someone's good grace, ideally love will help with that. When you love someone, you naturally want to do things to please and make that person happy. Now, if that person has ridiculous expectations and desires (needing to know where you are every 15 minutes, unreasonable demands on your time, money, emotions, etc), then maybe there should be a conversation about healthy expectations and the basis for the current expectations (see http://thelovelyyear.blogspot.com/2011/02/day-49-expectations.html).
"Lately I've been thinking maybe you're not ready for me. Maybe you think I need to learn maturity. They say watch what you ask for, cuz you might receive, but if you ask me tomorrow, I'll say the same thing. I am ready for love. Would you please lend me your ear? I promise I won't complain; I just need you to acknowledge I am here." It is also a sign of maturity to recognize another person's feelings. Now, as my therapist always encouraged me, it's better to ask someone how they feel rather than speculating, and I'd have to agree. My mother always said that when you assume, it makes an @$$ of u and me (ass-u-me). And besides, good communication is key in any relationship, so why not talk about feelings and concerns? But once you are ready for love, no one or nothing can really stand in your way of pursuing it, especially when you recognize your deep need for it.
"If you give me half a chance, I'll prove this to you. I will be patient, kind, faithful and true to a man who loves music, a man who loves art, respects the spirit world, and thinks with his heart." This stanza clearly points to an interest in a romantic relationship (and I must say I LOVE this description and hope to find one of those for myself), essentially asking for a relationship in which to prove the depth of and readiness for love that see has.
"I am ready for love. If you'll take me in your hands, I will learn what you teach and do the best that I can. I am ready for love here with an offering of my voice, my eyes, my soul, my mind. Tell me what is enough to prove I am ready for love?" This might be my favorite part of the song, as it reminds me of sitting in God's lap and being poured into with love and patient words of instruction and care. And as a response, there is a full-being offering in order that the love being given will enrich the person receiving the love as well as be a channel for the love to others. And even when this is translated to human arms, the same can hold true. In my life and experience, there have been times when I learned love in the arms of another person, and I had to be open and vulnerable in that moment to receive that love in order for it to do its work.
Then, after all this, the question arises in the end: "what is enough to prove I am ready for love?" In my mind, a willingness to receive love is a big step. This will motivate you to seek in yourself for that which hinders you from genuinely giving and receiving love in the first place. As you begin to deal with those things in yourself, you will find that love comes more easily and fully.
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