That four-letter word is ever so important in today's world. The one word that can automatically cure all human division and ignorance. That one word that is an action verb and also a noun.
We must love love.
We must love love, embrace it as the strongest noun that exists and carry it out as the most important action verb we know, in order to do our part. Our part is all that matters now. Love is the easiest action in life, yet we humans make it difficult. I always wonder in my quiet time why it is so difficult to love fellow citizens…fellow humans of the world. We were all made in God's image. "Love your neighbor as yourself."
Every religion talks about it. Every religion preaches it. But why is it so hard for us to practice it?
Love is effortless—a smile, a hello, a kind word, a hug, a pat on the back, saying it's going to be OK, don't give up, or I'm proud of you.
We must be intentional about making friends with people of different races, different skin colors, different religions, different tribes or cultures, different economic brackets—really getting to know them and being a part of their lives, leaving all judgement aside.
Then you'll understand they are actually just like you. They really are. We are all searching for the same things in life—we all crave true love from others, peace, good health, a safe place to call home, and so on.
Loving others does us and them so much good. It is so much easier to love than to hate. Love is the one action verb that can unite us, bring world peace, make the world better for the next generation. Love adds years to our lives. It even reduces inflammation in our bodies and strengthens our immune systems, making us healthier and happier.
My heart aches and my stomach rumbles every time I hear the never-ending bad news on TV about all forms of human divisions in our world.
Divisions based on race, skin color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, economic level, tribe.
I'm uncomfortable about the world we are building or not building for our children and generations to come.
But I'm an optimist. I've always been. So therefore I hold tight to hope. With hope, everything is possible. Hope is love. Love is hope.
I choose to believe we all really do know better, we can do better, and we must do better.