Love is being. Relationships are doing.﻿Love is not all you need to be with someone. You can love anyone, but that doesn't mean you have to be in a relationship with them. Compatibility, respect, trust, alignment, reciprocacity, vulnerability, intimacy, communication, understanding, and honesty are needed. Effort is a must.

King provides practical advice for fostering love in all areas of life. Key Tips :<ul><li>Mindfulness: Stay present in your relationships by listening fully when others speak. </li><li>Gratitude Exercises: Reflect daily on what you appreciate about your relationships. </li><li>Communication Techniques: Use "I" statements instead of "you" accusations during conflicts (e.g., "I feel hurt" vs. "You made me upset"). </li><li>Affirmations: Repeat statements like "I am worthy of love" to reprogram limiting beliefs. </li></ul>

10. Practical Tools for Nurturing Love

Boundaries are important in relationships for mutual respect and balance. King emphasizes that boundaries protect both partners by fostering mutual respect and ensuring individual needs are met. Boundaries are not about building walls but about creating clarity. <ul><li>Key Tip : Clearly communicate your needs and expectations in relationships. </li><li>For example, let others know what behaviors make you feel safe and respected. </li><li>Remember, saying "no" when necessary is an act of love for yourself.</li></ul>

5. Establishing Boundaries in Healthy Relationships

A long-term relationship will die and be reborn a thousand times. It doesn’t matter how long you are with someone, but how willing you are to stay open to the new versions of them (and yourself) that are certain to arise.

Love is not limited to romantic relationships; it includes acts of kindness, compassion, and connection with the wider world. This universal love is deeply fulfilling and transformative. <ul><li>Key Tip : Perform random acts of kindness and express gratitude regularly. For example, write a thank-you note to a friend or volunteer in your community. These actions nurture a sense of connection and belonging.</li></ul>

9. Love Beyond Romantic Relationships

Unprocessed emotions and traumas can block our ability to love fully. It is important to address these wounds through self-awareness, forgiveness, and personal growth.Unresolved trauma often manifests in our relationships, causing patterns of sabotage or dependence. King explains how healing these wounds is essential for healthy love. <ul><li>Key Tip : Begin by identifying recurring triggers in your relationships. </li><li>Use mindfulness and journaling to process painful memories, and consider therapy if needed to support your healing journey.</li></ul>

4. Healing from Past Emotional Wounds

Do you know who will never leave your side? ﻿You.Perhaps this is the relationship you need to nurture the most.

Letting go of expectations and embracing acceptance are essential for fostering authentic, meaningful relationships. By appreciating someone for who they are and focusing on the present moment, we create space for love to flourish naturally. This approach deepens our connections and allows us to experience relationships with greater joy, understanding and harmony. True love is rooted in freedom, acceptance, and mutual respect, backed with mindfulness practice to stay in the present moment, be grateful for each other and be committed to grow together. ﻿Love is an act of being and doing.

Final Conclusion : Love Is...

King begins by emphasizing that love is not an external phenomenon. He reframes love as a resource that comes from within us, which we can cultivate and share with others.  <ul><li>Key Tips : Practice self-awareness to recognize the love you already hold inside. </li><li>Use affirmations to remind yourself daily of your inner worth and capacity for love.</li></ul>

1. Introduction Love Is a Force Within

Many people expect love to "fix" their lives or fill a void. King explains that love cannot heal all wounds unless we address our personal struggles. <ul><li>Key Tips : Avoid putting unrealistic pressure on relationships to provide happiness. </li><li>Instead, view love as a complementary force that enhances your already fulfilling life.</li></ul>

2. The Myths About Love

King argues that self-love is the cornerstone of all healthy relationships. Self-love means accepting our flaws, celebrating our strengths, and prioritizing our mental and emotional well-being. Without it, insecurities and fear often dictate our actions, leading to unhealthy patterns. <ul><li>Key Tip : Develop self-love through small acts of kindness toward yourself - whether it’s setting aside time for self-care, journaling about your strengths, or replacing self-critical thoughts with positive affirmations.</li></ul>

3. The Foundations of Self-Love

Rigid expectations can lead to disappointment in relationships. It's best to let go of those expectations to experience authentic, unconditional love. Instead of trying to change someone, understand and accept them for who they are.<ul><li>Example : Appreciate your partner's unique ways of showing love, even if they're different from yours. This can bring you closer together.</li><li>Practical Tip : Next time you feel disappointed, ask yourself: "Is this worth addressing or just a mismatch of expectations?"</li></ul>Remember, letting go of expectations can strengthen love ❤️

Letting Go of Expectations to Strengthen Love

Relationships are not without challenges, and emotional resilience helps us navigate them without losing our sense of self. <ul><li>Key Tip : Practice mindfulness to reduce overreactions to conflicts. </li><li>When disagreements arise, pause and take a few deep breaths before responding. This allows you to address issues calmly and constructively.</li></ul>

6. Cultivating Emotional Resilience

Love can only thrive when we accept others as they are and focus on the present moment.Though acceptance isn't about tolerating harmful behavior, it does mean appreciating someone for who they are and their personal growth journey.<ul><li>Example : If your friend or partner is an introvert, respect their boundaries and don't push them to attend large gatherings that make them uncomfortable. Instead, spend quality one-on-one time with them.</li><li>Practical Tip : During conversations, practice active listening with loved ones. Avoid interrupting or judging and instead focus on their words with understanding.</li></ul>

Embracing Acceptance and the Present Moment

Long-term relationships evolve, and King reminds us that both partners will grow and change over time. True love requires flexibility and effort to adapt to these changes. <ul><li>Key Tip : Keep the connection alive by intentionally growing together. This could include learning something new as a couple, revisiting shared goals, or openly discussing how your needs have evolved.</li></ul>

8. Love as a Journey, Not a Destination

"Things No One Taught Us About Love" serves as a guide to understanding, practicing, and sharing love.Love is not a singular event. Love is an ongoing practice of self-awareness, healing, and connection. Love is a journey requiring effort, self-awareness, and a willingness to grow. When we prioritize self-love and approach relationships with authenticity, we create space for love to flourish in all its forms.

Conclusion: Love is a Continuous Practice

Love is Not Blind﻿May you find a love that radically accepts the parts of you that you're still working on.

King redefines vulnerability as a strength that deepens intimacy and trust. Without it, relationships often remain superficial. <ul><li>Key Tip : Share your authentic self with others, even if it feels uncomfortable. </li><li>Start with small acts of vulnerability, like expressing your feelings honestly, and gradually build trust over time.</li></ul>

7. The Role of Vulnerability in Love

Keeping it real saves you so much time and energy. You discover who appreciates you as you are, who else is being themselves, and you free yourself from the burden of maintaining a fake connection that doesn't align with your deepest beliefs and values.

Letting Go Won't Hurt as much as Holding on to an IllusionWhen we realised that the person isn't quite right for us, it's not the truth that hurts; it's having our illusion destroyed.

This is an interesting book where Vex King delves into the misconceptions surrounding love and relationships.  Love is not an external force but something that originates within us. By understanding and nurturing this internal love, we can foster healthier relationships with ourselves and others. ❤️

Beloved spiritual teacher Vex King follows up his international bestseller Good Vibes, Good Life with this essential guide to building meaningful, mindful, and loving relationships.Humans are social animals. But it is nearly impossible to build healthy, sustainable bonds with others without first having a good relationship with yourself. To get along with others, we often alter our habits or subsume our unique personalities. By trying to transform or suppress our true selves, we erode our self-worth and self-knowledge. We begin to lose sight of who we really are and what we truly want. When our self-understanding and self-confidence are damaged, it ultimately hurts our relationships.In this wise and transformative book—a revised edition of Closer to Love—Vex King helps us find and sustain the connections we want with ourselves and others. Good relationships begin with loving ourselves and recognizing our own desires and needs. This self-discovery allows our best selves to radiate with confidence and to attract and choose partners—romantic and platonic—who are truly compatible. When we feel comfortable in our own skin, we are able to give and receive love without being blocked by the destructive emotions and past trauma that previously held us back and prevented us from forming fulfilling and lasting relationships.Filled with Vex King’s profound wisdom, thoughtful self-practices, and easy-to adopt-habit builders, this guide opens you up to the love you deserve and shows you how to bring it into your life.

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Personal Development

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Mindfulness

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Parenting

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Love & Relationships

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Books

Vex King is an accomplished writer whose work has resonated with readers around the world. Vex King has published several books that explore a range of topics, from fiction to nonfiction, and has received critical acclaim for the ability to weave compelling narratives. Vex King's writing style is known for its depth and authenticity, and has earned quite a loyal following of readers.

Embracing Acceptance and the Present Moment

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6. Struggling with Self-Acceptance

Cherish the current happy moment