Love. What do you think of when you hear the word love? What do you love? Who do you love? Of course one thing that comes to my mind is a lyric from the timeless Hootie & the Blowfish classic “Hold My Hand”. In it they sing:
"With a little love and some tenderness,
we'll walk upon the water,
we'll rise above this mess...."
Crazy awesome things can happen when you love others. I’m not just talking about your spouse, child, mom, dad, or Hootie but everyone around you.
According to this article on WebMD, love can give you these health benefits:
1) Fewer doctor’s visits
2) Less depression & substance abuse
3) Lower blood pressure
4) Less anxiety
5) Natural pain control
6) Better stress management
7) Fewer colds
8) Faster healing
9) Longer life
10) Happier life
I’m guessing #11 is you’ll win more <insert sports ball here> games but they just didn’t print it. Have you ever noticed that the majority of teams win more games at home than they do away? Why do you think that is? Cause they’re in a place called home, where they’re loved? Perhaps.
I was at a conference years ago where someone (I wish I could remember who) said “Leaders love and people respond to love”. That’s my favorite leadership quote of all time. Why? Because I believe it to be true.
Everyone wants to be loved. Your neighbor, your mailman, your employees, your mother-in-law, your parole officer. Even people in the state of Nebraska (gross).
If you’re like me though, some people are tough to love (see above reference to the state of Nebraska). But isn’t life better when we love everyone, always, as Bob Goff would say? Better for them and for you. Scientifically proven.
Who are maybe 2 or 3 people who are tough for you to love? Why is that? You might call them EGRs (extra grace required). Why is it important to love them, you may ask? Because everyone needs love. And because it'll not only help them but it'll help you too. I’d love to hear from you on that, though no need to share names cause I might be one of them.
So go out there and love, because with a little love and some tenderness you can walk upon the water and rise above whatever mess you’re in.
One more thing….love is contagious. Like Covid. Except better. See how much love you can spread around. And I mean that in the most appropriate way possible.