This morning I thought I’d switch it up a bit. A little less doom and gloom and provide some hope and sunshine. Martin Luther King’s birthday always kicks off a “season” historically unspoken with MLK Day following and then Black History Month. I like to go back and look at some of his speeches and read over his documents to see how far we have come or still need to go. This year was no different.
What always strikes me about Dr. King is the great love he had for people that did not love him back. This month, my Pastor is focusing on praying every morning with a series called “What the World Needs Now, Is Love”. I personally used my sabbatical to indulge in self-love and re-evaluate the relationships around me as I felt overwhelmed with grief and needed to pull on the strength of the love of my family, friends, and colleagues.
Six weeks later, I feel much better. When I retreated into my corner to unpack the layers of my life and figure out how to move forward, there was a lot going on. In the world, in my family and on the job. I wanted to stop and hit the imaginary reset button so that I didn’t start a new year with ancient history sitting on my shoulders that had not been fully addressed or managed. I honestly didn’t know where to begin because every inch of my life was accounted for and the idea of pausing everything seemed impossible.
I did the impossible. I loved myself enough to say I wasn’t okay. I called those that were closest to me and told them what I planned on doing and they all fully supported my plans, no hesitation. No one asked any negative questions about work or anything else. 100% love and support instantly. When I advised my employers, same response. And so on… that let me know I had enough of friendship and good credit with individuals that they cared about my well-being above anything else.
During that time off, love made a comeback. It was always there however grief was such a scene stealer that love would hide in the shadows. As I was showing grief to the door, love was walking me through the entire process. It manifested in my attitude, my interactions and how I communicated with others. It helped me to tear down the walls that had been built up and hardened and remember who I am. The one that people had known and counted on for so many years had faded away (at least in my mind) and love was replaced by a feeling of obligation.
Love is an action word. I receive love every day from so many people in so many ways. I fooled myself into thinking that I was reciprocating because I showed up, I kept my word, and I didn’t always complain. I was wrong. When I lifted the cloud of grief from myself, my heart was relieved. Love felt different. It was no longer robotic it was organic as it should be.
With everything going on around me now, it is love that drives me. Love for my husband, love for my children, love for my family, my friends, my colleagues, and those that are hurting. Your joy is my joy, and your pain is my pain. I want us to succeed and to be alright. And we will be. Staying connected and keeping each other uplifted is what will help push us through.
In those same six weeks, as I worked on my personal healing, the world kept turning. You reap what you sow. I sowed new fresh, genuine love and was met with beautiful news and blessings of love and support. The journey doesn’t end here. This is only the beginning.
We have a country that is divided almost in half and hatred is being spewed. Love your neighbor as you love thyself seems harder to do every day. It’s not. Love truly does conquer all. It won’t happen overnight, and we may never see it in our lifetime. Be a part of the solution, not the problem. It takes way more energy to carry negative feelings than be positive.
Have an amazing day!
I love you all!!!
One reply on “Love is An Action Word”
This is beautiful!