To love another person unconditionally is possible, but at times, I find it a bit of a stretch. 

There is no doubt I love my sons, and I have said, unconditionally. By this I mean that my response to them is to love them no-matter-what. 

No matter what they do, say, become, I have decided my response will be to love each of them and their wives. 

But, and here is what I mean by “easier said than done.” In moments of conflict or disagreement, or when either son or I am stubborn and unreasonable beyond belief, unconditional love is not what I feel. I get annoyed and short-tempered and want to say things I will regret. 

When I am not doing well (emotionally, psychologically, physically – and in any other way I have not listed) I am tempted to mix a few conditions into my love. 

I want to make it into a deal or a trade. 

Thankfully, this is not a permanent place for me – I usually get over things fairly quickly – and then unconditional love, reason, logic and good sense are able to re-enter my thinking and I am able to restore my belief in my own unconditional love. 

All of the above, I am glad to say, occurs within me and it is seldom my sons are even aware of the little war that occurs in my head when I am tempted to import a few hurdles into my love and therefore make it conditional. 

While I hope you will see elements of playfulness in my list, almost all of the following test our resolve and our capacity to hold onto ourselves. Some require us ot mind our own business. A few of the following can indeed be learned, practised and perfected. Others require a large dose of self-control, humility and faith.

A baker’s dozen of things that are easier said than done:

• Love someone unconditionally.
• Hold onto your unsolicited opinion or guidance as you watch your children (all ages) make what you think are mistakes.
• Put a tent or a sleeping bag into its original packaging after use. 
• Quell the urge to rescue your children (any ages) when they are troubled or are in trouble.
• Stand up to authority and power when doing so may threaten your well-being or security.
• Successfully fold a fitted sheet.
• Find the humility to apologies when you know you’ve been wrong.
• One-upping someone’s story with something better or more dramatic.
• Changing a duvet cover without help.
• Listening to someone’s medical woes.
• Forgive and forget.
• Telling a friend that he or she’s probably in an unhealthy relationship, but it’s blind to it. 
• Lose weight, keep it lost.