Embark on a 2013 Love Challenge!

Take the Love Challenge

This year, give yourself a chance to develop a more genuine and fulfilling sense of spirituality. Take the Love Challenge—and begin living a life shaped by love rather than fear and stress.

During the next few weeks, you will begin to understand and put into practice what I call courageous spirituality. This means being confident in love’s power. It means being inclusive, not exclusive. It means accepting that within each human being there lives a core of goodness.

Get ready for the 8 Habits of Love! I believe these habits are critical to living a life of conviction and self-actualization. Introduce yourself to the core meaning of each habit, and then try each action item listed below. It will be an enduring, miraculous gift to yourself—far better than the same-old New Year’s resolutions.

Ed Bacon is the Rector of All Saints Church in Pasadena, CA, with over 4,000 congregants, a frequent guest on Oprah Winfrey's Soul Series, and author of the new book, 8 HABITS OF LOVE: Open Your Hear, Open Your Mind. Connect with him at www.8habitsoflove.com.

Truth

You are now primed to grapple with the Habit of Truth. Contrary to what many of us believe, Truth is not something we possess: It is more a verb than a noun. Truth sheds light on stories we have inherited from others. Sometimes we need to reject those preordained scripts in order to live a more authentic life.

Here your practice of Stillness will help. Think of one issue on which you are divided. Perhaps you are uncertain whether to tell your family a secret or marry your longtime partner, or are tempted to quit your job?

Then ask yourself: Does the Truth you are exploring exclude others? You are seeking a love-guided life in which no one person or group is treated as less than. If acting upon this Truth brings you into conflict, know that this is often the case. Ask which of these conflicting stories is motivated by love rather than fear: Follow and obey love instead.

Candor

Candor is the Habit you will now delve into. Candor is about having the courage to engage in challenging conversations. When done appropriately, it is among the most enriching gifts you can give yourself and others.

Is there something you have wanted to say to a friend, co-worker or loved one that makes your heart beat fast with fear? First, make certain you are not attacking someone’s being but rather addressing his or her doing.

Then ask yourself, are you employing Candor so that your relationship will be stronger? Remember, too, that Candor can be loving only if you are unattached to the results. Take time, ask if the other person is willing to receive feedback, begin with positives, and allow time to respond.