What is your soul design for love?

I recently had a deeply moving experience. I had the privilege of being at the bedside of a dear family member, Basudeb Biswas, who was passing away, surrounded by the whole family. This family member was my former father-in-law, a truly special man in my life. When he came into my life in my mid-twenties, I had no idea he would become such a significant person for me. My own father had passed away when I was 19, and I thought I would go through life without the physical presence of a father. But life had other plans. When we are open to love, our underlying desires can be fulfilled in unexpected ways. 

This remarkable man saw me and understood me in ways few others have. Even after my divorce with his son, he sat down with me to understand, and we had a beautiful conversation. He accepted and loved me through that change, and our relationship remained strong. We continued to talk regularly, and when I got together with my current partner, Sabu, he embraced him fully, which brought our family closer together. He frequently told Sabu he was his long-lost son, and my ex-husband encouraged this bond, fostering an atmosphere of inclusive love in our family.   

When I was in town for his passing, our family gathered around my ex-husband to watch the Liverpool football (soccer) final game with their coach Jürgen Klopp. Watching Liverpool was something that my ex-husband and his father always did together. 

As I was watching the broadcast of the world’s goodbye to their to beloved coach, I realized both Klopp and my father-in-law exemplified living a life of love channeled through their work in unique ways. This experience taught me a valuable lesson: we all express our unique signature of love in our own way, and recognizing this helps us understand, value, and love ourselves more deeply. 

My father-in-law was a very well regarded professor of economics. He went to great lengths to nurture his students, helping them build confidence and succeed. He even followed up with students at home when they didn't show up for class. Watching Klopp, I saw a man who graciously shared the global love and attention that was showered on him, demonstrating gratitude and openness. In his way, coach Klopp exhibited his essence of love as a leader in football. 

We each have this same opportunity to express love.  Take some time to reflect on how you express the love that you are. If you're still discovering this, know that there's great joy in trusting your unique expression. It's an opportunity to recognize the legacy of love you are already creating.

You might consider these questions: 

• How do you see yourself expressing your unique essence of love in the world already? 

• What is the most natural way you express who you are with love?

• How is love seeking to move through you more? 

• What do you most desire to be remembered for as you get older? 

 Our soul design is something that, the more we understand and appreciate it, the easier it is to love ourselves.  Our soul design goes beyond our life purpose; it’s the unique template of who we are, what we bring as a unique being of love, what we desire, how we show up, our innate qualities and gifts and more.