February 11, 2024: Love Makes A Difference
With a daily onslaught of despairing news from around the world, it can be a challenge to remain hopeful and positive about the fate of humanity. Yet, I read something this week that has resonated in my heart and brought a sense of light and optimism. The Book of Joy by Douglas Abrams, contains the conversations of two great spiritual leaders and friends: the Dalai Lama, a Buddhist advocate for peace and freedom, and the Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a Christian, Nobel Prize winner and advocate for peace, human rights and justice.
During a discussion on despair, especially the impact of witnessing daily heartbreaking events, the leaders were asked how to maintain joy in the midst of such anger, fear and sadness. Their response was to put into perspective and shift all our anxious feelings about the state of the world. Their shared belief was that people are inherently good.
All around the world, on a daily basis, people are showing care, love and compassion to their children, families, friends and community. People who create horrible acts, are “aberrants”. Daily acts of kindness and love are not celebrated in the news. Although these events are what is actually normal, sadly as a result, they are not noteworthy enough for the media. What makes the news, seems to be the events that cause us to lose hope.
“We’ve always got to be recognizing that despite the aberrations, the fundamental thing about humanity, about humankind, about people, is that they are good, they were made good, and they want to be good.”
Desmond Tutu
When put into perspective, horrible events are actually unusual ones which make them newsworthy. The love that exists in our lives is not considered newsworthy , while acts of violence are splashed across the headlines.
“We must have a sense of proportion and a wider perspective.Then we will not feel despair when we see these sad things”
Dalai Lama
Tragic and heartbreaking events do occur, but we have options to keep our hearts and souls from falling into despair. In our own lives, we can act in ways that are caring and compassionate, and recognize these kinds of acts by others. We can seek out alternate news sources that focus on positive events. We can also try to make a difference, by donating time or resources to those in need.
Valentine’s Day celebrates the love in our lives, from romantic love, to love of family and friends. Love is a vital part of each of our lives. Psychologists describe love as affection to another, feelings of tenderness, sensitivity to their responses and experiencing pleasure due to their presence in our lives. (American Psychological Association). Scientific studies have even shown how love can also increase activity in the area of the brain associated with the control of pain helping to reduce it. In fact, in addition to the necessities of life, like food, shelter, and safety, love is what brings us joy, a sense of security and an awareness of the beauty and blessings that are present on a daily basis.
Thank you for taking the time to read today’s post.
We’ve gathered a series of quotes to celebrate the love in our life…on Valentine’s Day and throughout the year.
Best regards,
Wendy Oellers-Fulmer
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES
We look forward to the time when the Power of Love will replace the Love of Power. Then will our world know the blessings of peace.
William E. Gladstone
“Nobody has ever measured, even poets, how much a heart can hold.”
–Zelda Fitzgerald
“Have enough courage to trust love one more time and always one more time.”
–Maya Angelou
“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”
—Lao Tzu\
“There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved.”
—George Sand
—Willa Cather
“Where there is great love, there are always miracles.”
“What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.”
—Helen Keller
—Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina
“I think… if it is true that there are as many minds as there are heads, then there are as many kinds of love as there are hearts.”
—Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.
“Where we love is home – home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.”
“Love is always patient and kind. It is never jealous. Love is never boastful or conceited. It is never rude or selfish. It does not take offense and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people’s sins, but delights in the truth. It is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes.”
—1 Corinthians 13:4-7
“There is no remedy for love but to love more.”
Henry David Thoreau
“Love is such a powerful force. It’s there for everyone to embrace-that kind of unconditional love for all of humankind. That is the kind of love that impels people to go into the community and try to change conditions for others, to take risks for what they believe in.”
Coretta Scott King
“To be fully seen by somebody, then, and be loved anyhow – this is a human offering that can border on miraculous.”
Elizabeth Gilbert
“To feel the love of people whom we love is a fire that feeds our life.
Pablo Neruda