Nurturing Relationships, Embracing Self-Love, and Practicing Compassion for a Better World
“ONE BUT MANY
One God, many faces.
One family, many races.
One truth, many paths.
One heart, many complexions.
One light, many reflections.
One world, many imperfections.
ONE.
We are all one,
But many.”
― Suzy Kassem, Rise Up and Salute the Sun: The Writings of Suzy Kassem
I don’t know about you, but I believe that our world could do with a little bit more love right now.
Because, ultimately, everything comes down to love, doesn’t it?
Everything comes down to our ability to see beauty and good inside and around us, and to open our heart in oneness with another, with life, with the universe.
When we see love as an opening, as an embrace…we understand that love is never ending. It transcends boundaries and definitions. It cannot be limited to one form, to one person, to one community, to one country, to one god. It is the energy that keeps on giving…the very source of life, of all there is.
It is no wonder that the question about the meaning of love is as old as time itself.
Throughout ages and across cultures, wisemen and women, philosophers, poets, scientists, and spiritual teachers all spoke about love as that ineffable, ever elusive, yet omnipresent force that permeates our existence.
Beyond concepts and definitions however, each one of us knows what love is, in our heart.
We all want to be loved, and to love.
So what prevents us from being more loving to ourselves, to others, to our planet?
What prevents us from opening our hearts in love, in oneness and communion?
Why are we afraid to love?
And what can we do to change this reality?
We all know that our world is not as beautiful as it could be.
We all know that for humanity to thrive and fulfil its highest potential something needs to change.
But what? Perhaps the answer is simpler than we think?
We don’t need advanced research or sophisticated theories to figure this out.
You and I know the answer.
We need more love.
Each one of us needs the courage to open our heart so wide that we can never close it again.
Dare to go beyond fear, choose love and only love, until love becomes our new reality.
After thousands of years of trying division, competition, hatred, and vengeance, perhaps the time has come to finally try love? We have nothing to lose.
In a world marked by chaos and uncertainty, at a time of deep suffering for humanity, when the need for love, self-love, and compassion has never been more pressing, let us go back to basics and choose love as our new currency.
After all, despite everything we’ve been through, we have never given up on love, and love has never given up on us.
“Love is the brightest star in life’s darkest skies.” ― Matshona Dhliwayo
But how do we shift from a paradigm of scarcity and division to one of abundance and cooperation? How do we turn competition into solidarity? How do we replace the cold, hard coin of material wealth with the warm, soft glow of love?
Love: The Universal Language
“Love is a universal language. When we speak it fluently, we have the power to connect the world.” ― Rachael Wolff.
To make love the new currency for humanity, we must first understand that love, in its purest form, is not a commodity to be traded or hoarded. It is an infinite resource, a boundless energy that flows through us, connecting us to each other and to the universe. It is the very fabric of existence, the thread that weaves us all together in the grand tapestry of life.
Love is a force that transcends boundaries, cultures, and beliefs. It is the universal language that has the power to connect us all. Whether it’s the love between partners, friends, or family, cultivating meaningful relationships is key to creating a harmonious world.
As we navigate the complexities of modern life, valuing and nurturing these connections becomes a guiding light, offering support and understanding.
Learn to speak the language of love – at all times.
Self-Love: The Foundation of Well-Being
“True love is the essence your life is made of. To taste it and embrace it you have to embrace and love yourself.” ― Silvana Avram, Being You and Loving You
And then, of course, we must learn to love ourselves. We must delve deep within our own hearts, to uncover and heal all those old wounds preventing us from fully giving and receiving love. Self-love, so often overlooked, is the wellspring from which all other love flows.
While we often focus on external relationships, the journey towards a better world begins within ourselves. Embracing self-love is not a selfish act but a necessary one. By recognizing our own worth, practicing self-care, and building a positive self-image, we become better equipped to contribute positively to the world around us. The more we love ourselves, the more love we can share with others.
This aspect of self- love is very dear to my heart. In my book “Being You and Loving You – the Ultimate Guide to Fulfilment” I take my readers on a deeply transformative journey of self-discovery. When we reconnect with our uniqueness and abundance, learn to nurture ourselves, rekindle our creativity and fall in love with life, we find true fulfilment in sharing our gifts with the world.
Ultimately, when we learn to love ourselves, we learn to love our humanity.
Learn to love yourself, so you can have more love to offer others and the world.
Compassion: The Bridge to Understanding
“Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive,” ― the Dalai Lama, The Art of Happiness.
Above all, we must practice love in our daily lives. This means showing kindness and compassion to everyone we meet, without exception. It means seeing the divine spark in every person, recognizing that we are all reflections of each other, “stars in each other’s sky”, as I often like to say.
In a world that can be painfully divisive, compassion serves as a bridge that unites us. It’s the ability to empathize with others, understanding their struggles and joys. When we approach life with a compassionate mindset, we break down barriers and build a loving and supportive community in which we care for one another. Compassion is the driving force behind positive change, encouraging acts of kindness and understanding.
To fully replace our old paradigms, and to embrace love as our new currency, we must create systems and structures that reflect and support our newly chosen ethos of love. This could mean anything from implementing policies that prioritize people and the planet over profit, to creating communities where everyone is seen, heard, and valued.
Above all, this means making compassion our modus operandi – our way of showing up in the world.
When we open our heart to compassion, we start to see life in all its forms as the miracle that it truly is.
Learn to be compassionate to yourself and others, to the planet, to all there is.
How Focusing on Love Could Help Humanity Write a Better Story
“Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier”. ― Mother Teresa
Imagine a world where love, self-love, and compassion are the guiding principles. A world in which people support and uplift each other, recognizing the inherent value in every individual. As we focus on love, we create a ripple effect that extends far beyond ourselves. Acts of kindness, understanding, and empathy become the norm, fostering a global community that works together for the greater good.
It is important to acknowledge the challenges we face, but by centring our collective energy on love, we can rewrite the narrative.
Love is the constant choice to see the best in others, even when they can’t see it in themselves. It is the unflinching commitment to stand by each other, even in the darkest of times.
Love has the power to heal old wounds, mend broken relationships, and build a future where humanity thrives.
There is no other way.
Love is the only way to a better future for humanity.
Finally, we must remember that love is not just a feeling, but a choice and a commitment.
We must remember to choose love again and again, until it becomes our new default setting.
In his book “The Art of Loving”, psychologist, and philosopher Erich Fromm, describes love as an art demanding knowledge and effort. Given that love is our very nature, we can surely learn and master living as the art of loving.
When we do so, love becomes more than just a currency; it becomes the very air we breathe, the water we drink, the soil in which we plant our seeds of hope and dreams. It becomes the rhythm of life, the melody of the universe, the harmony of existence.
And as we dance to this rhythm, sing this melody, and live in this harmony, we will find that we are not just making love the new currency for humanity; we are creating a world where love is the only currency.
As we navigate the complexities of today’s world, let us hold onto the transformative power of love, embrace self-love as a foundation for well-being, and practice compassion as a bridge to understanding. Together, we can contribute to a story of love that shapes a brighter and more compassionate world for generations to come.
Let us embark on this journey, hand in hand, heart to heart. Let us be the change we wish to see in the world, the love we wish to see in the world.
Can you make a commitment to choose love?
And what can you do, today, to bring more love into the world?
Here is a parting thought.
As you go about your day, make a pledge to keep your heart open, to choose kindness whenever possible (it is always possible!) and to look for the oneness in all there is.
Be patient and loving with yourself.
It will not be easy. But if we all do our best to be more loving, then love will win.
“Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.” ― Rumi
Let’s start dismantling those barriers, shall we?
Lovingly,
Silvana
