Are you a secret keeper?
A ‘secret’ is something
that is kept or meant to be kept unknown by others.
You may be wondering well, why are you sharing a secret then?!
Because knowing empowers us, knowing awakens our consciousness,
knowing gives us the ability to make a choice, knowing creates opportunities,
knowing liberates us.
The secret is actually a word. A word whose
meaning is too often misunderstood. This
word is often spoken of but very seldom demonstrated. Contrary to popular
belief, this word is a verb, an action word …………the word…. Is……LOVE😊
Love! I am sure you have
heard this word before and perhaps even confessed love for someone at some
point in your life.
Perhaps you have professed love to your Parent, Child,
Spouse, Friend or even your pet! The
secret is that it is not enough to just ‘say’ love; The power lies in demonstrating what it means to love.
Love is best demonstrated through our
actions.
Love compels us to be inconvenienced, Love compels us to think
of our self less. If we are honest, demonstrating love most times does
not feel good. Why? because it has
nothing to do with us and everything to do with others.
Not too long ago, the world watched as 8 boys and their coach were trapped in
a cave unable to exit. Volunteers from all over provided their time, resources and manpower to
formulate and execute several plans in order to rescue the boys and ensure
their safe evacuation.
All the volunteer divers knew there was a risk involved
because of the water levels, narrow enclosures, and the need to carry oxygen on
their backs for the rescue. We all breathed a sigh of relief when FINALLY all
were saved. My thoughts and prayers with the family and friends of Saman Kunout
the volunteer who died while bringing a supply of oxygen to the boys ran out of
oxygen and became trapped when flood waters increased in the cave.
The reality is we may never have the opportunity to volunteer on an
international life saving mission, or stop world hunger; however, we can start right where we are.
If we decided to demonstrate love intentionally…….can you imagine the possibilities that would manifest as a result?
Well, You may be wondering, where and how do I start? Mother Teresa said “If you want to change the world, go home, and
love your family”
My Favorite reference book- The Bible- one of the gospel
writers Paul informs us on what love is
and what love is not in 1 Corinthians 13.
Love is patient,
love is kind,
love does not envy or boast;
Love is not arrogant or rude.
Love does not
insist on its own way;
Love is not irritable or resentful;
Love does not
rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.
Love bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, endures all things.
Perhaps a good starting place is practicing patience and kindness to those
closest to us and continue to build from there.
The following quotes captured my attention.
On Patience: Adel
Bestavros is quoted
"Patience with family is love, patience with others is
respect, patience with self is confidence, and patience with God is faith"
On Kindness: Bob Kerry is quoted
"unexpected kindness
is the most powerful, least costly and most underrated agent of human change"
Jesus Christ said "Dear friends, let us love one another, for
love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God"
The demonstration of Love is powerful if used consistently, persistently and irrespectively. Love builds, Love restores, Love
heals.
I challenge you to "share" this secret, with our actions. Let our actions
spill the secret and define the true meaning of love particularly when it is
least expected and least deserved.
