Recognizing the power of love

What about love? Consider this word in today’s world. Love is pretty well “sought and practiced” in our intimate relationships. Love is less “sought and practiced” in our personal interactions with those outside our intimate relationships. Love seems to be totally not “sought and practiced” in our national and international political, social and economic relationships. Love has endless opportunities for expressing in our lives.

When the subjects of national and international matters come up, discussion immediately goes to some outer condition, pointing the finger “out there,” describing some outer circumstance and then suggesting a retaliatory action that should be taken. The talk is endless and no real and lasting solutions are found. That is because the solution is not “out there.” The solution is “in here,” within me, within each of us. The solution is the relinquishment of a thought system based on fear and the acceptance of a thought system based on love.

Love is all powerful. In the context of our national and international relationships, it’s meaning and expression involves thinking and behavior involving these sorts of things: Listening carefully. Feeling the oneness of all people. Having an attitude of cooperation and compassionate understanding. Being strong on diplomacy and justice for all. Being strong on mutually advantageous policies and practices. Being strong on advocating for human rights. Now, I’ve heard all the responses to what I just wrote advocating for love. Comments like: Impractical. It will never happen. Should I love the suicide bomber? And “get real, Bob.”

I must confess here. I really don’t write this to try to convince anyone else. I like to write and when I write like this it helps me to further strengthen my own belief in the tremendous power of love. So, I share this honest expression with you in my first letter in the new year. Thank you.

– Bob McClellan, Polson