lani’s Reviews > All About Love: New Visions > Status Update

took me awhile to get back to this, and understood why as i began reading (chapter about love/loss/life/death.) sometimes i find myself sifting through hooks’ words much like i do with tarot cards, looking for interpretations beyond what is actually being said. but then again, not always: “love knows no shame. to be loving is to be open to grief, to be touched by sorrow, even sorrow that is unending.” yes lord!

“at least when you hold to the dynamics of power you never have to fear the unknown; you know the rules of the power game. whatever happens, the outcome can be predicted. the practice of love offers no place of safety. we risk loss, hurt, pain. we risk being acted upon by forces outside of our control.” so familiar . love cant prevail if i’m worried about maintaining control. smth for me to learn this year💭

came across some ideas i don’t fully agree with , particularly around forgiveness. n i think maybe that’s ok . also thinking ab the ppl in my life who i’ve chosen to commit to , and the way i’ve been trying to love them w more intentionality . working on my own lil circle of love ❤️‍🔥

“love was not what made you feel bad, hate yourself. it was what comforted you, freed you up inside, made you laugh … trust is the heartbeat of genuine love.” yea crying in public

had to take some time before coming back to this to really try and practice love ethic to see, understand, and process what it could look and feel like in my life. i’ll say, some days i wanna quit but me + love feels worthy n deserving now. right now felt like the right time to come back, and bell hooks is calling me out left and right again. learning and thinking so much. it’s all a beautiful gift 💝💭

how could so much of this be so relevant for me in this moment of time ? thank you divine spirits for leading me to these words just when i’m ready to receive them 💌

page 8 made me cry . i’ve been wanting to read this for months now n hooks’ recent passing finally pushed me to go grab a copy — thankful that i got ahold of this book at this time, it really feels like the right time . i know this read is going to be life changing for me 🌨🤍