Love can feel complicated. When I meet someone who sees the simplicity of love, and really knows how to love someone, I am quick to strike up a conversation to learn more. Whether you want to know what is true love in a relationship, or to bring more love to your entire life, Shaun helps you see how to get there.
How to Love Someone: Show Notes
Love can feel and be complicated. So, when I find someone who thinks of love as simple — who sees clearly what it takes to love, I am always up for a conversation.
Shaun Emerson is today’s guest on Practicing Love. He is the president of the board of MenLiving, a Chicago nonprofit that helps men forge friendships to combat the epidemic of loneliness and mental health struggles among men. I may have grilled him ;), or asked him a lot of questions, to help get a sense of how to use his simple perspectives of love in our real lives.
I know being human isn’t easy, and coming together in love with another human can be even more challenging, but there are perspective shifts that can help us relate to love with clearer eyes and a more open heart. Shaun is one of those people who can help us shift from fear to love.
In this episode Shaun and I talk about love, big and small scale. We discuss…
- What we think love is, and what makes it easier to sustain it
- Tracking whether you’re in a “love conversation” or a “fear conversation”
- How to share about what we’re afraid of, rather than lashing out in fear
- Asking yourself the question: “Am I committed to being right, or to being in a relationship?”
- Clearing up the elephant in the room, or the pea under the mattress, when something blocks connection
- The power of a mindful / meditative approach to love, and the capacities to reframe and recommit when we stray
- The potential when you show up with respect, care and kindness, in every interaction
Shaun’s take on love is profound in his simplicity. Starting to practice taking on what Shaun calls the position of love, can change your life. For another dose of Shaun, check out our Man Alive episode on 5 keys to living fully.
I always love to hear your takeaways, so feel free to comment.
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Bio:
For over twenty-five years, Shaun worked in the technology space, both as employee and as entrepreneur. He managed personnel and processes in sales, marketing, and operations. He started and led businesses in both the for-profit and the nonprofit sectors.
Today, Shaun dedicates his time to nonprofit initiatives. He has served in board leadership and other volunteer roles in several organizations. He currently serves as MenLiving’s Development Lead, focusing on programming and funding.
In 2012, Shaun discovered the transformational practice of yoga. Moved by the philosophy and power of the practice, he trained to guide others. He has lead yoga and meditation classes since.
Shaun grew up in New England and graduated with a BA in Sociology from the College of the Holy Cross. He has lived in the Chicago area since 1986. He is a father of three and has been married to his wife, Lisa, since 1993. Shaun and Lisa split their time between Glen Ellyn, Illinois, and Palm Springs, California.
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Previously Published on Shana James Coaching
