Written by Molly Schreiber, Founder + CEO, Challenge to Change, Inc.
Molly with her family
" Love. The universal language that transcends boundaries and connects us all, is a force of immeasurable power." ~ Molly Schreiber
Love.
The universal language that transcends boundaries and connects us all, is a force of immeasurable power. It has the ability to heal wounds, bridge divides, and bring about profound transformation. Love is not merely an emotion; it is a guiding principle that shapes our relationships, influences our actions, and has the potential to create a more compassionate and harmonious world. Love is truly all we need to survive and thrive in this life.
There is nothing more powerful than the power of love felt at the moment of becoming a mother. Now, those of you who have never experienced this, also know what the power of love feels like, but for me, it is the moment part of yourself becomes a separate human. A part of your heart that walks around outside of your body. I was blessed to feel this three times, but only with two pregnancies. Now, figure that out….
Yes, I was graced with the birth of twins. I was blessed to experience the great love that happens in childbirth with my first born, Maggie and my twins, Jacob and Maria. I now have three parts of my heart walking outside of myself. In my opinion, there is no greater connection and experience of love than this.
In my previous blog on hope, I shared about the loss of my first husband, Kyle. I shared how losing him shook the foundation of my life. The passing of his great love enabled me to transfer my strength and longing for healthy school environments and the development of Challenge to Change. Between my deep experiences of the beautiful emotions of hope and love, I was able to create my noble goal in life: “Raising happy, healthy, safe kids who make the world around them better than they found it.” When I experienced the sadness and tragedy of losing Kyle, my focus came on the six little eyeballs watching me. My life's work of raising three happy, healthy and safe kids of my own. Little did I know it would also include so many other humans in our world through our work at Challenge to Change.
Now, sixteen years after Kyle’s passing and the growth of Challenge to Change, I am able to look back at my experiences and truly honor how God and the universe were working for me. When I felt despair, I leaned on hope. When I had hope, I was able to feel love again. I learned that love is always there, even through the hard times. I learned it is the most expensive currency you can gain in a relationship with another human. I was learning so many lessons on love through honoring my noble goal each and every day.
How Love Transforms and Heals
The following are ways love has guided me to my noble goal and aided me in transforming into the person I am today.
1. Connection and Empathy
Love fosters deep connections and empathy among individuals. It allows us to see beyond our differences and recognize the shared humanity in others. When we approach the world with love, we cultivate understanding, compassion, and a genuine desire to support and uplift one another. Love enables us to build meaningful relationships, strengthen communities, and create a sense of belonging.
In all of my relationships, I never miss an opportunity to tell someone how much they are loved and valued. Through my lessons in love, I have grown the gift of seeing the good in everyone. Some say this is having “rose covered glasses.” I see it as a loving gift of empathy and compassion. Everyone at their core is good. Everyone at their core is a being of love.
2. Healing and Forgiveness
Love has the power to heal wounds and mend broken hearts. It provides solace and comfort during times of pain and loss. Love allows us to extend forgiveness, both to ourselves and others, promoting healing and reconciliation. It frees us from the burden of resentment and opens the door to personal growth and transformation. Through love, we can create spaces of healing and understanding, fostering a culture of empathy and acceptance.
When we love big, we hurt big. It is the science of the yin and yang. However, I have found that holding space and listening to those I love, verses trying to fix things, is a needed practice. As stated in my blog on hope, I was able to find love again with my now husband, Tom. Through my marriage with Tom, we have had many ups and downs. A wise friend once told me, “If you can get to the other side of each argument and not get hurt, it is worth it.” Love always exists, even in the times of hurt. Holding space for our loved ones through forgiveness and offering healing is essential in the practice of love.
3. Resilience and Strength
Love empowers us with resilience and strength. When we feel loved and supported, we gain the courage to face life's challenges head-on. Love acts as a source of inspiration, motivating us to persevere and overcome obstacles. It gives us the confidence to step out of our comfort zones, take risks, and pursue our dreams. Love provides a solid foundation from which we can grow, thrive, and make a positive impact on the world.
Those who know my mama skills know they are my baby cubs. When I feel my children and loved ones are being wronged, I speak. I speak and act in works of resilience and strength. I am not afraid to have the hard conversations so my loved ones know how they are supported. Through the love of my children, I have come to be a parent of great courage to clear the path of a solid foundation in life. Many times, society has given a strong woman another name, but love has taught me differently. I am a lighthouse of love, helping to guide them into their futures.
4. Personal Fulfillment and Happiness
Love brings immense personal fulfillment and happiness. When we give and receive love, we experience a profound sense of joy and contentment. Love enriches our lives, giving us a purpose beyond ourselves. It reminds us of the beauty and interconnectedness of all living beings. Love allows us to find meaning in our relationships, our work, and our contributions to the world. It is through love that we discover our true selves and live a life of authenticity and fulfillment.
Finding my life's work at Challenge to Change has given me personal fulfillment at the greatest level. In yoga, we call this finding your dharma, or life's work. Not everyone gets to experience finding their dharma in this lifetime. I was lucky to find it. However, if I would not have experienced the great love of my life with Kyle, lost the great love of my life and found happiness again I don’t know if I would have been so blessed.
This conclusion has brought me to always look for love and happiness in every situation. There is truly always a silver lining. And that silver lining, is that love exists. Love is always there. Love is a transformative force that has the power to change lives and shape the world we live in. Always choose love.
Learn to empower yourself with your emotions in my newest meditation challenge!
P.S. I'm so excited to announce my newest meditation challenge!
Throughout this 12-day challenge, you will become an emotional scientist and uncover the deeper wisdom of your emotions.
What you’ll get:
12 videos
7 EXCLUSIVE emotions meditations
Downloadable challenge journal
Each day, you will:
Watch a short video
Write down the emotion that you are feeling.
Write down the physical sensation you are feeling.
Choose a guided meditation from the included emotions meditations that most closely matches how you’re feeling.
Journal on the day’s prompt.
This challenge officially launches on December 1st, 2023 but you can join anytime!
And, as always, ALL challenges are FREE to C2C Hub members!