true love

Someone recently asked me the following: "What is true love and how do you allow yourself to have it once you've found the opportunity?"

These are two great questions, and, to be honest, I'm still seeking more understanding and more Universal guidance for both. I'll share with you what I understand so far, tho.

What is true love?

IMHO, you know you are experiencing true love when you can love the ugly. In other words, when you are able to witness the ugliest, most unattractive, most repelling aspects of the object of your affection and still love him or her anyway. The nice, beautiful, attractive parts are easy to love, but when you can love the ugly that's when the Universe delivers the elusive prize. And, trust me, every single one of us has our not-so-attractive parts. That perfect person so many of us seek is an illusion.

How do you allow yourself to have it once you've found the opportunity?

(a) You have to be ready when the opportunity presents itself. It's said that luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. To be prepared for true love you have to truly love yourself first. When you love yourself and who you are 100% and unconditionally that's when you can potentially have a blissful relationship with another person (who, hopefully, also truly loves him/herself).
(b) You have to focus on what you like about the person. The more you focus on what you like about him/her, the more you'll get what you like. Conversely, if you start focusing on what you don't like, you'll get more of what you don't like (and the downward spiral will accelerate from there).
(c) You have to be wary of the opinions of friends/family/co-workers/society/etc. They are not in the relationship -- you are. They won't be there to snuggle with you after their opinions/pressure/selfishness have derailed your relationship.

Do you know The Secret?