I came across a great blog post Jason Mraz wrote last Wednesday, from which I’m sharing excerpts below. In essence, he talks about being the love-guy (my words, not his) in part because of his song “I’m Yours,” (indeed, a song we refer to as one of our Lovemore theme songs), and how scared he is to screw it all up by admitting he is also challenged by fear, doubt, and insecurity. Now I’m no rock star, but I know that feeling as well, and I bet you do too. Here at Lovemore, we’ve actually come up with a mini-mantra to help deal with it…”practice, not perfection.”

When Angela and I first started Lovemore we talked about the pressure of being the “Lovemore girls,” and “oh-my-god, what about how we’re oh-so-human and there are times when we don’t love more?” We wondered if it was appropriate to lead this love more movement when it is something that as committed as we are, we certainly haven’t mastered. We decided that the truth of the matter is that choosing love more is all about practice, not perfection, and that therein lies a life-enriching process, versus an unattainable dogma.

It is in fact my and Angela’s personal practice of choosing love more that gave rise to the Lovemore you see today. Our first batch of t-shirts bearing the love more mantra were created simply to remind ourselves to choose love more, because even though we knew that doing so was the best way to bring more peace, love, and joy into any moment, we didn’t always do it. The positive reaction to our message showed us that we were in good company. So we created Lovemore’s line of love-infused products to support individuals in their practice, inspire each other as we form a community, and to watch how the world changes as the amount of love in it increases.

I was inspired to share this part of our Lovemore story by Jason’s opening up about what he calls his humanness, and for that I’m grateful. When we share the ways that we are still growing, we help those around us embrace their practice as well. And that’s a beautiful thing. 

Excerpts from Freshness Factor Five Thousand, blog of Jason Mraz

WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2009

I’m writing this because it’s important for you to know that I am still very human and have been very afraid to admit certain truths and take on the many responsibilities that surround them. I am afraid of success just as much as I am afraid of failing. I have fears about how I’ll look in the eyes of my peers, my family, or my fans. And up until now I’ve had fears about sharing this information.

I’ve been praised a thousand times for my positive outlook and my positive contributions to music. And I’ve celebrated loudly and advertised myself as someone with an attitude of gratitude. But all it seems to take is one small moment of negativity, inadequacy, or fear, to break me from my most powerful nature, that of being the possibility of real love. So the failure I would create in THAT would reduce me again to feeling like just a worthless soul whose life will be over before it began so what’s the point in even trying.

Huh? All this is coming from the positive thinking guy? Is this the same cat who wrote I’m Yours – a song in which every stanza is about generosity, encouragement, and letting go?

…Tonight, I’m appearing on American Idol, singing I’m Yours with a handful of contestants from this past season and for the first time I’m actually celebrating my own success. Even though I dreamed of having this life, I’ve been too afraid that people will find me egotistic if I actually show how much fun I have doing it. Even that SNL appearance in January was this fond-of-hats-fellow at 50% due to the worry about how it was going to translate on TV.

So I invite you to watch and share with me the joy I truly have in doing what I do. I’ll be singing I’m Yours tonight as if it’s the first time I’ve ever sung it. I’ll also be wearing a t-shirt designed by my good friend, Jon Marro at Blend Apparel. The design of the shirt asks the question, What it is going to take to have peace? For me, honesty and open communication are the keys to freedom. And freedom from yourself gives you the greatest peace: Peace of mind. 

* I discovered Jason’s post via Ankit Shah, a Tumblr friend who is 17 and wise beyond his years. The amazing people Lovemore brings into my life are just a dream come true, let me tell you.

Any thoughts? Please share them!