"Knowing is not enough, you must apply; willing is not enough, you must do"

I understand how to love without attachment, but I recently discovered I don?t practice it as well as I thought. Loving without attachment to me means loving without the expectation of being loved back. To let love go where it needs and wants to. Allowing it to develop organically, not manipulating it into what you want it to be.

The opportunity to love without attachment came and I failed. I let my ego get the best of me, I let fear take over. That fear developed after seeking advice from another person. This person gave me their perspective based on what the situation meant to them. I had my own perspective, one I believe to be more accurate and healthier. I however allowed this friends perspective to get into my head. Instead of living in the present and accepting things as they are I put up a wall to protect myself. I?m not beating myself up over this, I?m taking it as an opportunity for personal growth. I made a mistake and I?ve learned from it. I?m also not blaming my friend, it was my choice to take the action I did. My friend did not put that fear in my head, it was already there. I allowed my old coping mechanism take over instead of the healthier ones I have learned. This situation showed me that I still have some work to do and that knowing is not enough.