Why Not Choose Unconditional Love?

Have you ever thought about how ridiculous and impossible it is to really, genuinely love and connect with someone else, when you expect and require that they behave someway or be someone other than whom they really are?  Well, I have.  And yet, I often find myself trying to do just that, my futile efforts at 'Controlling' someone else.  Maybe it's my boys, needing them to show the appropriate social behaviors in front of others, so as not to embarrass me.  And when they don't, 'Criticizing' them for their lack of manners.  Or maybe it's needing Kim to act a certain way, to show me love and adoration in front of others or even in private.  What's more, if she doesn't (even when I never asked her to...HA!), deciding to feel that she doesn't love me as much as I do her.  Wow!  Talk about self-absorption. 

If we genuinely want to have unconditional love in our relationships, don't we need to let go of all of our own stuff and 'Be Accepting' of others for whom they are and everything they bring to the table moment to moment?  Now, I'm not talking about accepting abusive behaviors or words and actions that go against us or those we love.  Sometimes, it's very important to voice our disapproval of negative behaviors we see, for the benefit of others and ourselves.  Yet, how do we know if our actions are truly those of unconditional love?  Simply ask yourself, "Am I coming from a genuine place of caring without expecting anything in return or am I putting conditions on my love (I will love you 'If'...)?"  One of the best examples of unconditional love is the bond between a parent and child, but even that isn't always perfect.  It's very difficult to love everyone unconditionally all the time, but our lives and those around us will surely be better if we strive towards this ideal way of being.  Of course, we can always choose to love selfishly, just rest assured, the love we then share with others will only be conditional at best.  I prefer working toward unconditional love and last I checked, I'm probably about 5 % there.  HA!  Yet, I'm still trying.  Trying to Sail the Seven C's baby!  How about you?