You may hear the pundits and “wise men” say that we need this person to run the U.S. or that company to fix the economy. As I waken to a new year, I am convinced that these are distractions to what we really need. We need more love in 2020. And unlike the other things that we “need”, and there are many, love is something that we all have to give and, magically, no one can prevent us from giving it either. Let’s explore why love is what we need this year.
Love is one of the most deeply rooted emotions. We know this. When we are loved, we wake up. When we aren’t, we either pretend we are or we shrink and stifle—both recipes for unpleasant outcomes. Research tells us that babies need love, preferably from their parents but, ultimately, from someone. This need continues as people grow (here is but one of millions of articles on this, link). Clearly, it is something we all need as it makes us more fully human and more fully our authentic selves as well.
Love conquers evil and hatred. We all know this too. How many times have we heard/seen/experienced what happens when someone responds to hatred with love? Most of the time, hatred is neutralized. People prefer love. This love may come in the form of listening. It may come in the form of an honest attempt to understand someone. It may come in the form of affection. No matter. Love has power. There is a lot of hatred and misunderstanding in our society. Love can do a ton to remedy these.
Love is something we can all do. It can start with a phone call or an email. It can start with a knock on a neighbor’s door. It can start with a “thank you.” Try these “small acts of kindness” and see where it leads. Try doing them intentionally, each day. See what happens. Start with smaller acts of love and build up to larger ones. See what happens. See what happens to the person/people you love and see what happens to you as well.
A lot of people I know are depressed right now. They are listening to the “pundits” too much. This leaves them feeling angry and hopeless (but wanting to buy more things to assuage their frustrations). (Ever wonder why this is? Might it be intentional/deliberate, a natural outcome of those that run the networks?) I hope these individuals try to love more (and turn off the TV more). I really do, they have so much love to give.
Love isn’t all we need (as John Lennon wrote) but it is what we need. There are many challenges that face us. Let us work on them. Let’s lead with love and see what happens. Here is to 2020, a year we all will remember!