I truly believe that the best direction in life is a direction of love. Do I always live up to that? Of course not, but it's my goal to figure out that path to the best of my ability. Love in action looks different for every person and every situation. I wanted to think more about that today.
Love in action is sometimes inaction
Sometimes love in action is actually inaction--it's the direction of stepping back, giving space, and letting people live their own lives without interference or commentary.
Love in action is doing the mundane jobs of life
The simple, sometimes mundane jobs of life such as cleaning, cooking, repairing, preparing, and providing personal care set the stage for a loving home, workplace, or community. Making the time to do those jobs for yourself and others is a loving action that makes a positive difference in lives.
Love in action is listening and responding to what people say
Rather than projecting our own thoughts and wishes on others, loving action requires listening, and as we listen it is loving to listen to what people are saying and hear what it is that they need and desire to live their good lives. Sometimes the words alone don't describe the needs, but it's the way people talk and what they mean beneath those words that hold the deeper meaning and desires.
Love in action sometimes means letting go
At this point in my life, to love my sons well is to often let go. They are embarking on their own lives, and it's up to them to make decisions about who they are and what it means to live good, loving lives for themselves and others in their midst.
Love in action is creative
I've been creating a simple Granny Room in my house, a place where I hope my grandchildren can play, read, sleep, and relax when they visit. I've been motivated to create this room by the love I have for my children and first grandchild. It's a simple room with a book shelf, rocking chairs, nursing chair, beds, and playpen. I enjoy the creativity involved when crafting a place, event, or present for people I love and care about.
Love in action is reflective
Making the time to think about those you love and what you can or cannot do for them is loving action. Reflection and prayer move us in ways that help us to love more fully and intentionally.
Love in action is patient
I've learned a lot about patience recently from one of my dad's 90+ friends who preaches patience all the time. When we learn to wait and be patient, we sometimes understand better what's happening and what we can do to love better.
Love in action is acceptance
Life is like a kaleidoscope presenting multiple designs and images, and each of us sees life a bit differently from the other. Sometimes to love is simply to accept that we don't perfectly understand what's happening or why it's happening. To better accept the events of life that we don't understand or agree with, we can try looking at those events from a large array of perspectives. For example, a very sad event may plague some while opening doors for others. That said, to accept when we believe harm or hurt may happen, may not be loving, but instead be evidence of a lack of courage, faith, or will to act in ways that are loving and right. Reflection and prayer guides in situations like this.
Love in action is honesty
Dishonesty confounds loving action. When people act dishonestly they create a web that hinders and blocks honest, loving action. Dishonesty wastes a lot of time and energy--time and energy that could be devoted to loving action.
Love in action is appreciation
When we look around and think about our lives, I bet we could all list hundreds of events, objects, scenes, and experiences that deserve our appreciation. I always remember that scene in the play, Our Town, when the young mother is in heaven looking down at how the hurried people are missing so many loving events in life. From heaven, she implores people to stop, wake up, and notice all the good in their midst. We have to stop now and then to simply appreciate the love that exists all around us in nature's beauty, children, loving actions, relationships, and creativity.
Love in action is caring, compassionate, and kind
Imagine your toughest moments in life and imagine if those moments were met with caring, compassionate, and kind responses. This kind of loving reaction creates more love.
Love in action is generous
Truly we don't need a lot to live good, loving lives, and it's best to be as generous as you can be to help others get what they need too.
Love in action is imperfect as we, as humans, are imperfect
I want to think more about what it means to actively love. Some may read this and think that my decisive, straightforward ways are anything but loving as the directness can be abrupt, harsh, and potentially hurtful. I will continue to think about this as I journey ahead. But for now, my focus is on the many ways I can develop greater love in action as I believe that no matter what's happening in the world around us or within us, that is a path to betterment as well as strong, loving communities. Onward.
