I’m going to start this new podcast with a beautiful quote by Bob Marley. Below the quote I have pulled out 5 points from it that I think are worth reflecting upon.

After all, a quote is only words on a page unless we can see the wisdom in it that we can use in our own lives. It has to make us think, and it has to resonate if it’s to be of value to us.

“Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around. You tell them things that you’ve never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more. You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments life has thrown at you.

When something wonderful happens, you can’t wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement. They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you make a fool of yourself. Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful.

There is never any pressure, jealousy or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around. You can be yourself and not worry about what they will think of you because they love you for who you are. The things that seem insignificant to most people such as a note, song or walk become invaluable treasures kept safe in your heart to cherish forever.

Memories of your childhood come back and are so clear and vivid it’s like being young again. Colours seem brighter and more brilliant. Laughter seems part of daily life where before it was infrequent or didn’t exist at all. A phone call or two during the day helps to get you through a long day’s work and always brings a smile to your face. In their presence, there’s no need for continuous conversation, but you find you’re quite content in just having them nearby. Things that never interested you before become fascinating because you know they are important to this person who is so special to you.

You think of this person on every occasion and in everything you do. Simple things bring them to mind like a pale blue sky, gentle wind or even a storm cloud on the horizon.

You open your heart knowing that there’s a chance it may be broken one day and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible.

You find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure that’s so real it scares you. You find strength in knowing you have a true friend and possibly a soul mate who will remain loyal to the end. Life seems completely different, exciting and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are a part of your life.” ― Bob Marley

* Finding a Deep Connection: Once in your life, you find someone who completely changes your world, allowing you to share your deepest thoughts, dreams, and disappointments without fear of judgment. (I do believe that this can happen more than once, but we have to be open to finding it again. We have to keep our hearts open.)

* Unconditional Support and Acceptance: This person builds you up, shows you what makes you special, and loves you for who you truly are, without any pressure, jealousy, or competition. This can be a family member, a soulmate, romantic or platonic.

* Cherishing Simple Moments: Ordinary things like a note, song, or walk become invaluable treasures because they are shared with someone special, making life feel more vibrant and meaningful. To have experienced this is to have truly lived.

* Comfort in Presence: Just having this person nearby brings comfort and contentment, even without continuous conversation, and their presence makes life more exciting and worthwhile. If we have this or have had it, to have experienced this level of connection is a gift we should always treasure.

* Embracing Vulnerability and Love: Opening your heart to this person, despite the risk of it being broken, allows you to experience true joy and pleasure, bringing a sense of hope and security in their loyalty and companionship. As C S Lewis said, “To love is to be vulnerable.” We cannot love fully unless we allow ourselves to be vulnerable and open our hearts, risking the possibility of it being broken.

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only once in your life - bob marley