What does it mean to love one another? How can we actively promote love? St. Paul in his words to the Corinthians provides a good definition of love:
Love is kind
These words from the Bison Bulletin provide a good definition of kind:
- Is this courteous?
- Is this helpful?
- Am I understanding and demonstrating empathy with regard to what people are choosing, doing?
- Am I compassionate about the situation at hand?
- Am I good friend?
- Am I acting with generosity?
- Am I sensitive to someone else's feeling?
- Am I doing what is right and good without any expectation of reward or acknowledgement?
Love is not jealous or boastful
Do I accept the diversity of who people are and what they have without jealousy? Am I quiet about my strengths, advantages, successes?
Love is not arrogant or rude
Do I use polite language and actions? Am I careful about the words I use? Am I humble about who I am and what I do recognizing that like everyone, I'm a mix of strengths and challenges.
Love does not insist on it's own way
Am I a good team player? Do I consider and engage with the ideas and actions of others respectfully and positively?
Love is not irritable or resentful
Do I approach situations with positivity and accept the strengths and positive traits of others with respect?
Love does not rejoice in wrong
When people fail, am I there to lend support rather than ridicule or take pleasure in their losses?
Love rejoices in the right
Do I celebrate the positivity others contribute and exhibit?
Love bears all things
Am I able to weather life's events, both positive and not so positive?
Love hopes all things
Do I remain optimistic and hopeful with regard to the positivity that can occur? Do I work for betterment?
Love endures all things
With resilience do I endure the challenges life presents?
To live a truly loving life is a mighty and positive challenge--one that we can work to master throughout life. It's a great challenge that calls forth the best of us. I'm thinking about how I might work more and better to meet this challenge. Onward.