Our society largely focuses on love. This can bring up emotions that range from excitement, joy, and happiness to unmet expectations, pain, and disappointment. But, on a day that is so concentrated on love, why do we feel so much unhappiness and lack?

One thing I know for sure is whether we have a romantic partner or not, we could all feel more love in our lives. 

How can we feel more love?

On my own personal journey to happiness, I have been studying the path to happiness from the buddhist perspective. What I have learned (and I have so much more to learn) is that love is when we open our hearts to others. Because we live in a world that is full of others, we are happier when we feel connected to all beings. Love is about dissolving the delusions that keep us from feeling separate, isolated and alone. 

The Dalai Lama said:

“I have found that the greatest degree of inner tranquility comes from the development of love and compassion. The more we care for the happiness of others, the greater is our own sense of well-being. Cultivating a close, warmhearted feeling for others automatically puts the mind at ease. It is the ultimate source of success in life.” 

I challenge you to uncover the love within you by focusing on oneness. 

How can you put this teaching into practice?

Start by doing this in small ways, such as being kind to the Starbucks server, your co-workers and neighbors and to the person who cuts you off driving, or knocks into you walking down the street.

Society has placed so much emphasis on finding love, that we think it’s outside of ourselves. The truth is, love exists in your heart. Recognize the misperceptions the block you from feeling connected.

Practice patience, compassion, and love.