Deep Love in Action

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”   ~ Lao-tzu

To love and be loved deeply are among the greatest desires of the human heart and soul. They are the themes of timeless art and literature for a reason. Many of us will spend a lifetime in pursuit of a relationship in which to give and receive deep and abiding love; searching for the strength and courage that can anchor one’s life.

Some will say that such love does not exist but I must disagree. For I have witnessed the strength and courage of deep love in action and I bet you have too: between husbands and wives; parents and children; brothers and sisters; teammates and comrades in arms.

People who are there for each other with a love that “passes all understanding” in times of challenge or adversity. Love that lifts us into doing things we cannot imagine ourselves doing; that gives us strength and courage beyond our own.

Who are you thinking of right now?   

I was recently privileged to celebrate this kind of love as my extended family gathered to say goodbye to their beloved dad, grandpa, great-grandpa, brother and husband of more than 67 years. I witnessed deep love in action as they cared for him and for each other; worked with each other, accepted each other and honored his life – with courage, grace and strength.

As a collector of hope, I’m so grateful for this tangible reminder of the power of love among us. We are daily bombarded with the pain and darkness in the world, and it is easy to forget that it is not the whole story. When in reality, it’s far from it.

It’s worth our attention to nurture our capacity to love deeply, and to notice where that love is returned. We have available a source of strength and courage that has the power to change our families, our communities and our world – one heart at a time.

May you love and be loved,

    Pam