By Simone Talma Flowers
“The one who plants trees, knowing that he will never sit in their shade, has at least started to understand the meaning of life.” Rabindranath Tagore
The wisdom of planting trees knowing you will never benefit from them but generations to come will, is to me the purest act of generosity. It is the ultimate act of love – sending a gift to those you do not know and who will never return the favor.
Love is one of the purest forms of generosity. From that well of love, generosity flows. I recently joined a women’s giving circle and one thing we discussed was the idea that we should fall in love with each other as we got to know each other. I took that to heart and I’m now on a quest to fall in love with everyone I meet. It is my honor and privilege to get to see, feel, and know whoever may be in front of me. I want to learn about their dreams, aspirations, choices, and stand with them – whether at their side, behind, around, or wherever they need me to be.
We are so used to thinking about those we love as separate from those we don’t. But what if we love everyone? Love your neighbor, your teacher, your co-worker, your congregation member, your partner – even that annoying guy down the street. Love one another in any context.
It doesn’t take a special kind of skill to open our hearts to others. For me it’s easy. I follow this path. I love God – I trust God – I know God takes care of me – I know we are all children of God and are an extension of God’s love. Knowing this Divine love is in all of us, I can seek to know this love in others. I’m falling in love with you – as I get to know you – to love is to immerse yourself in the wonder of the other without judgement. Once we accept that each of us is fascinating and eternally lovable, we can try to view the world through God’s love. This love is not a romantic love like eros love, – it’s agape love – a love of humankind. Agape love, is an act of love and of generosity. It is pure and conscious.
Love is also action. It could mean sharing your resources, to ensure your neighbors’ child’s tuition is paid, or sharing your expertise to support a
cause, volunteering your time. Love can be listening and being present with others, and love can be standing up for others whose voices are not heard. “Justice is what love looks like in public,” as Cornell West said.
Sometimes the world is too murky to reveal any love and may seem too much to bear. There is so much division, violence, greed, hate, and you may feel there’s nothing you can do to change that. There’s actually a lot you can do starting from a place of love. Standing firm in love, to love, to send love, to build love around you – to extend love – is the foundation to seeing that everyone is worth loving. Love builds compassion for others.
Tell someone you love them, tell them you care about them, you support them, and you are there for them. Do it now. Don’t wait. Start with a prayer – it could be as simple as “God guide me!” It can be taking a deep breath to take in fresh air and exhale any negativity or anxiety. Then reach out – it doesn’t have to be in person, use the phone or even Zoom. I at times like to put my hand on my chest to keep myself centered – you can do what you feel is necessary for you. Call those you know and tell them you value them and love them, you are glad they are a part of your life, and that they are in this world.
