what the soul chooses to love

Whatever the soul chooses to love, it will resemble;
therefore, what we choose to love is important.
Love is the force behind every level of existence.
There is some good in every attraction,
but there is a process of refining attraction,
of choosing what to love,
so that we are energized by a wider, purer love.

...

If the suffering and drama of this world were not real,
unconditional Love would have no place.
The imperfection of the world is what gives birth
to the reality of Love -- an unconditional Love
that loves even this imperfection.
Love is a quality of the unconditioned and infinite
that penetrates the imperfect and conditioned world,
bringing with it a taste of beauty and mercy.
If Love were reserved only for the lovable
it would not be cosmic. The mystery and mercy of Love is
that we are its recipients despite our faults and weaknesses.
Knowing this allows us to love even our enemies
and to love more of this imperfect world.

~ Living Presence: The Sufi Path to Mindfulness and the Essential Self, Kabir Helminski