Wikipedia’s definition of Love is “Love is a variety of different feelings, states, and attitudes that range from interpersonal affection (“I love my mother”) to pleasure (“I loved that meal”). It can refer to an emotion of a strong attraction and personal attachment. It can also be a virtue representing human kindness, compassion and affection—”the unselfish, loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another.” It may also describe compassionate and affectionate actions towards other humans, one’s self or animals.
On Sunday, February 15th, our new ministers, Jane and Gary Simmons were in town, and Jane’s talk, “What’s Love Got to do with it?” helped me remember how I want to live my life. I want to be Love: a virtue representing human kindness, compassion and affection and living with compassionate and affectionate actions towards other humans, one’s self or animals. When I am irritable, grumpy or frustrated, I’m not giving or receiving Love, and I don’t like the way I feel during those times. In fact, as Jane said in her Sunday talk, when we do not love ourselves, we do not love others. When we do not have compassion for ourselves, we do not have compassion for others. When we do not have kindness for ourselves, we do not have kindness for others. Jane also pointed out the opposite truths. She said when we start by loving ourselves, we’re able to pass Love onto others through kindness and compassion. As I continued to listen to her message, I realized that when I give love, compassion, and kindness to myself, I am happier, lighter, more joyous, and have much more self-respect, and therefore, I find I am able to share these feelings and virtues with others. It’s amazing how Jane’s message helped me on Sunday. It helped me remember that I am Love, and Love is everything. I deserve Love and so do you. I want my garden to be nurtured and grow. I want my dogs to feel loved and special. I want my community to feel warm and loving. I want to be connected to my wife and bring love, emotional safety and understanding to our marriage. So from this day forward, I am going to do my best to bring compassionate and affectionate actions to my service as board president, towards other humans, myself, and all situations. Would you like to join me? I’d love it if you would!
With Love,
Charlie Ker, Board President
