Greetings, Northside neighbors:
I hope you are well. Life can be hard. I see this, hear this, and experience it myself. Food insecurity, housing insecurity, isolation, loneliness and relationship instability are just some challenges. Some things are within our control, and some are outside our control.
I am glad part of what it means to be human is having personal power and agency to make choices that affect our experience no matter our external circumstances. Though we all have limits, we also have this incredible power and ability to influence our lived experience. We possess freedom to choose all the time, every single day. Yes, within limits.
What we choose matters. What we feed grows. What we focus on increases its influence in our mind and emotions. I believe and offer that LOVE is at the center (Source) of the universe and is the most powerful force in the universe. Consciously considering and pursuing love will benefit us individually and collectively if we learn to choose to love more, both others and ourselves rightly as well.
We all have experienced not being loved in varying times and degrees and are each left to deal with its absence and the damaging effects. Sadly, our society is constantly suffering the traumas, wounds and pain of abuse, neglect and other forms of harm to human life. Think of all the counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, medication and other resources and professions directed toward healing us and helping us be whole. Though none of us are immune from sicknesses, injuries, accidents and environmental pollutants of many kinds as well, so much suffering and difficulty relates to feeling/being unloved.
We have power to affect ourselves and relationships. We have power to love. Love is kind. Love is compassionate. Love forgives – not permits. Love matters. Let’s choose love.
