I’m reminded as Christmas and the New Year approach that it’s important to take a pause, reflect on my journey thus far, and think of ways I can make the next move in the upcoming year. This season is about appreciating our loved ones by celebrating together – something especially special seeing how this has been such an unpredictable year!
To me, the theme of this season is Love. Love is a powerful emotion that we all experience at some point in our lives. It’s an elusive concept that can be difficult to define, but we all know it when we feel it. Love is often associated with positive things, like happiness, joy, and compassion. But love can also be painful and bittersweet. It’s a complex emotion that can be interpreted in many different ways. Love has been often articulated through art throughout history; perhaps what’s most fascinating about the Chinese character ‘愛’ (meaning ‘love’) is the nuances of meaning behind each component that forms its composition:
The character for love 愛 is composed of four radicals:
- 爪 (claw)
- 冖 (cover)
- 心 (heart)
- 夂 (action)
These four radicals together provide a concise summary of what love means. The first two radicals represent the hands that protect the heart carefully by providing a cover. The second two radicals represent the action or movement which comes from the heart. Together, these four radicals illustrate the meaning behind love: it’s an emotion that comes from the heart and manifests through action.
We can apply this meaning to our work and lives by remembering to always act from our hearts. When we do this, we are more likely to experience love in everything we do. We’ll be more compassionate towards others, and we’ll find greater satisfaction in our work and relationships. By keeping the meaning of 愛 in mind, we can strive to live our lives with intention, love, and kindness.
To bring this message close to heart, why not take some time today to call or gather your family & friends around you? sit down together over coffee/tea, and follow the video demonstration to practice and show each other just how much you care via crafting 爱Love!
