Love harder, dear friends. Love like your life and the future of humanity depends on it. Because I believe it does.
I’m just now reading news of today’s school shooting that took two bright, young souls from their families, their friends…from us. It isn’t – as you surely know – an isolated event, nor was it the only school shooting this week. And other dangers lurk. Suicide. Drug addiction. Police violence. Homelessness and malnutrition. So many things are stealing our beautiful children. And they are all – each and every one of them – our children.
There was a time, not all that long ago, when I consumed a huge amount of news. After a while though, I realized that it was filling me up with darkness far more than it was informing or empowering me. I felt conflicted. On the one hand, I believe we all have a responsibility to maintain awareness of what’s happening in our communities, our countries, and the world around us. On the other hand, self preservation is vital, particularly when other people depend on you.
My instinct for self preservation prevailed over my burning desire to know everything, so I scaled back and started selecting my news far more deliberately. I decided to be a conscious consumer of news. I’m aware of my sources and I avoid polarizing pundits who so often just stroke the egos of their audiences, enabling us to feel pumped up and self-righteous while we look down at people with opposing views with mocking disdain. We can see the results of that everywhere – worldwide. So much of the “news” we see and hear distorts facts and breeds fear. It squelches our authentic light with it’s dense, dark fog. I have a far better vision for humanity, and am choosing to align my news consumption with that vision. We are all empowered to choose something better.
I’ve thought a lot about if and how I would discuss current events on this blog. I want to build community and encourage people to freely and respectfully express their perspectives on their inner life. Current events can evoke strong feelings and opinions, and it’s human nature to want to defend our point of view. In this polarized world, our perspectives often determine – to increasingly large extent – our identity and who we spend our time with. Social media seems to amplify this in an incredibly powerful way. Can we break away from this malignant mindset of separation and create a tribe that is informed and compassionate? Passionate and patient? Committed to justice while being intentionally open to varied perspectives? An awake, authentic, shining example for all to see, united by a shared love of humanity and a desire to see our beautiful children thrive for generations to come?
I believe we can, if we can all agree to love hard…to love fiercely…even – no, especially – when it’s the hardest to do. If we can resist the urge to label or react and instead choose to respond thoughtfully and respectfully. If we stay centered in our authenticity, in our beautiful light, in our loving hearts. It’s critical that we discuss current events and things that really matter, and we must do so from a place of love and hope, with sincere and selfless intentions to contribute to the greater good.
These kids who are shooting their classmates, who are addicted to drugs, who are dying by their own hand…they are all in pain, disconneced from their authenticity. They have broken, aching hearts that need mending. They are lost and have lost hope. Can we show them a world that is more compassionate, more patient, and more empathetic? Less interested in judging them and more concerned with understanding their experience? Can we teach them that they are love and they are loved, and that they have a place in this world?
The answer is “yes.” But we have to decide and act. We have to lead by example, dear friends.
Who’s with me?
Carol Mortarotti says
So true. We can all love even deeper and make a difference by spreading the love.
Amy Hawkins says
I believe it was Stephen Covey who talked about the difference between “love” as a noun and as a verb. Our culture focuses on the noun. If we can learn to value the verb more, and decide to love (just like we decide to have a cup of coffee or call a friend), what a powerful impact we could make together! <3
Marta Hawkins says
Today especially your words are SO important and (sadly) appropriate.