Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.
When we see each and every individual in our life as an angel messenger communicating ideas from God which we need to learn, love and live, we could never give into the dominant culture of contempt or fear or exploitation or cruelty that would dehumanized them and us. Where I live, there are at least 31 times the people less housing units as there are Houseless people. And many people who have housing express resentment and contemptuous hostility towards people who are denied their basic rights to housing and safety, and are often further victimized (terrorized, robbed of their necessities and dignity and community, forced to move, arrested, beaten or burned or shot by housed neighbors whom dump their garbage at their tent sites, and by businesses, police, other public servants. How much better we would all be if instead, we thank God and Christ for pricking our conscience, calling us to caring curiosity, empathic compassion, and courageous right action.
We can mentally thank them and God for giving us the opportunity to grow personally, emotionally, socially, morally, spiritually. We can thank them for reminding us to be grateful and generous and reconnecting with the joy we have of connecting with another person as an equal. We have so much to learn from them in a time that demands more resilience, flexibility, hope, creative problem-solving, and sheer resolute courage. Where I live there are at least nine earthquake fault lines and major explosive oil bomb trains and gas lines and toxic explosive storage tanks that could cause at least 700,000 to become instantly homeless. Our neighbors who are currently denied basic human rights to housing, etc., have so much knowledge and wisdom and so many skills that we need.
And we need to be humbled and to express better grace. We need to thank them for the reminder for us to be more honest and responsible and less hypocritical. We need to thank them for the reminder that we are all interconnected and that the choices we make individually and collectively and systemically/politically/economically through policy, practice, or legislation, affect all of us because we need each other and none of us is better or worse than the other. How we think about an act towards others is how we at one level think about an act towards our self and causes results in our own body and emotions and finances and relationships. What we believe about housing and law can become a law to help how we live and where. For better or worse.
Plus it gives us so much joy and peace and power when we stop our old destructive thinking and rushing about or fearful avoidance and self-pity, and replace it with real connection with another beloved being. It feels so good to get out of ourselves. In my phone I have different signal loops for groups who are volunteering independent of any nonprofit or government agency to help people who are living with out roofs. They communicate so much sense of purpose and meaning and connection and satisfaction, stronger community and hope, more humane justice. It is so empowering and healing. So liberating to connect with a fellow being through a gracious conversation. So inspiring and hope m-giving when we let the Christ make us better at obeying infinite Love. For those who complain about their church or work or marriage not being inspiring enough, it can be helpful to stretch out of one’s former limiting beliefs and restrictive habits, to humbly serve and learn, making new friends.
It is fun to individually and collectively do good for the greater good and have a good conversation with someone we might otherwise not know. And one of my favorite windows to these mutual blessings and glimpses of heaven is when I ask and hear their answers to, “What are some of the lessons and blessings you’re enjoying from today?“
They teach me so much! They help me feel the Christ reach me and teach each of us.
I have enjoyed enduring Friendships with people I first met when they were Houseless or they were volunteering with me to help others who were denied the security that I enjoyed. This article could have a photograph beside the first, in which the young man with the expensive suit goes away radiant and grateful with humble awe.
Also, Evan, thank you for the quote from Leo. I learned about him when I was a professional speaker and a new member of a new-to-me branch church, when I was rethinking my different businesses or careers. Leo was not meeting the criteria of public speaking technique and he demonstrated how much more important it is to have that loving heart that makes communication and connection so much more blessed and powerful. On television and in person, he was the first American man I saw hugging other men. And hugging women without any creepy sexuality to it. And now when people see me as an older woman I’m giving more social permission to be, as he, a hugger. I love seeing people’s face and hearing their tone of voice change as I offer them a hug and a wait their consent if they so choose. Or so I love to feel the melt into me and lean into and greatly soak up all that love. And when we step apart I love seeing them stand taller or sit taller and radiate more of their inner true self. So, thank you, Evan, for reminding me of his example of loving. I’m going to look for some videos online of him. He was a powerful angel communicator from God for me in the early 1980s and every message from God is timeless.
Beautifully said, Edith! I wrote a story in my book about my experience with a homeless women for whom I prayed, “The Christ in me is the same as the Christ in you.” and “The Kingdom of God within me is the same as the Kingdom of God within you.”
She was so responsive!!! A pastor who read my book told me this chapter changed his life!
We live among many homeless who used to be noisy until our town bought a $million homeless shelter for them. In two weeks, the drug dealers on the corner moved into the shelter and soon the women and people with children were back onto the street. I ask every lawmaker who asks me for money to build tiny houses for our homeless. One homeless marine who now lives in one of the tiny houses built by Swartzenegger was asked “what is the best thing about living in a tiny house? Is it the toilet or the shower?” “No,” he said, “It is not being bitten by rats and squirrels in the middle of the night – they always got into my tent.” What a revelation!!! May God bless our homeless and keep them well!!
How very true! It’s the little things that mean the most. I treasure
each and every kind thought and caring expressed here. Thank you,
Evan, for making this site possible and thank you All for your smiles
of Love.
Was going thru my library of books awhile back and came across a few of Leo Buscaglia works. Such an insightful man. Known for his “hugging”. Thank u for one of his quotes. Thank you Evan and Edith.
Have a beautiful day everyone.
Yes Carol, I remember many years ago my husband and I read his book with the simple title, Love, and saw him speak on his PBS specials on TV in the late 1980’s-90’s. So full of pure joy. He just read thatwas a professor at University of Southern California for many years and wrote about 12 other books.
Wikipedia said “While teaching at USC, Buscaglia was moved by a student’s suicide to contemplate human disconnectedness and the meaning of life, and began a noncredit class he called Love 1A. This became the basis for his first book, titled simply Love.
In some ways people seem more disconnected than ever. His philosophy is much needed. About hugs he said, 5 to survive, 8 to maintain, and 12 to thrive.
Thank you Evan! It also came to me that being able to “ listen, touch, offer a kind word, smile” is the fellowship that goes on after each church service! It’s where the congregation is embraced and loved by its embers. Which makes in- person services so vital to church! We attend church not only to receive but to give love! To get the full experience you have to be there.
Evan, thank you for this touching and powerful quote by Leo Buscaglia which so poignantly expounds the simple graces of Spirit.
And Edith, for another beautifully written post filled with your life lessons that stir the reader to action. You are a great blessing to this assembly of spiritual thinkers!
Just after I read this I walked out my front door and saw a young man sitting in the shade in our complex parking lot I called out to him to see if he needed help. He did not hear me, I went back in and got 2 cold bottles of water, and a cold apple, also a towel that I got wet, (as I live in Phoenix and it will be 109 today) and walked out my front door. He said that he was waiting for his Mom to get off work to pick him up. He said that he just lost his Job. I gave him the items I had for him. He thanked me he asked if he could do something like take out my trash for me. I said, all is well, and that I would be praying for him. He said he would be leaving soon.
I too love that quote, “Love is reflected in love”.
I also found that quote from the article Place by Adam H. Dickey CSJ
“the place you seek is seeking you, the place you need is needing you”
I am so grateful for all the wonderful helpful comments today and always.
Love and hugs
Rose’s comment: “In some ways people seem more disconnected than ever. His (Leo’s) philosophy is much needed” reminded me of a comforting thought from an article by Marceil Delacy: “… if someone is feeling lonely, to be grateful that divine Love is present in this very moment, which means “I’m already blessed with all the love & companionship that I need because God, Soul, is providing that RIGHT NOW.” From an article posted a few weeks ago (thanks RH!) called “No limits in limitless Mind” by Marceil Delacy: https://journal.christianscience.com/shared/view/krxmwyc7lw
Absolutely !! Thsnk you Evan for all your wonderful comments !! Love is what makes the world go around Z❤️
The man’s face says it all.
“And Love is reflected in love.”
MBE
Science & Health p 17-7
Thank you for this reminder:)
When we see each and every individual in our life as an angel messenger communicating ideas from God which we need to learn, love and live, we could never give into the dominant culture of contempt or fear or exploitation or cruelty that would dehumanized them and us. Where I live, there are at least 31 times the people less housing units as there are Houseless people. And many people who have housing express resentment and contemptuous hostility towards people who are denied their basic rights to housing and safety, and are often further victimized (terrorized, robbed of their necessities and dignity and community, forced to move, arrested, beaten or burned or shot by housed neighbors whom dump their garbage at their tent sites, and by businesses, police, other public servants. How much better we would all be if instead, we thank God and Christ for pricking our conscience, calling us to caring curiosity, empathic compassion, and courageous right action.
We can mentally thank them and God for giving us the opportunity to grow personally, emotionally, socially, morally, spiritually. We can thank them for reminding us to be grateful and generous and reconnecting with the joy we have of connecting with another person as an equal. We have so much to learn from them in a time that demands more resilience, flexibility, hope, creative problem-solving, and sheer resolute courage. Where I live there are at least nine earthquake fault lines and major explosive oil bomb trains and gas lines and toxic explosive storage tanks that could cause at least 700,000 to become instantly homeless. Our neighbors who are currently denied basic human rights to housing, etc., have so much knowledge and wisdom and so many skills that we need.
And we need to be humbled and to express better grace. We need to thank them for the reminder for us to be more honest and responsible and less hypocritical. We need to thank them for the reminder that we are all interconnected and that the choices we make individually and collectively and systemically/politically/economically through policy, practice, or legislation, affect all of us because we need each other and none of us is better or worse than the other. How we think about an act towards others is how we at one level think about an act towards our self and causes results in our own body and emotions and finances and relationships. What we believe about housing and law can become a law to help how we live and where. For better or worse.
Plus it gives us so much joy and peace and power when we stop our old destructive thinking and rushing about or fearful avoidance and self-pity, and replace it with real connection with another beloved being. It feels so good to get out of ourselves. In my phone I have different signal loops for groups who are volunteering independent of any nonprofit or government agency to help people who are living with out roofs. They communicate so much sense of purpose and meaning and connection and satisfaction, stronger community and hope, more humane justice. It is so empowering and healing. So liberating to connect with a fellow being through a gracious conversation. So inspiring and hope m-giving when we let the Christ make us better at obeying infinite Love. For those who complain about their church or work or marriage not being inspiring enough, it can be helpful to stretch out of one’s former limiting beliefs and restrictive habits, to humbly serve and learn, making new friends.
It is fun to individually and collectively do good for the greater good and have a good conversation with someone we might otherwise not know. And one of my favorite windows to these mutual blessings and glimpses of heaven is when I ask and hear their answers to, “What are some of the lessons and blessings you’re enjoying from today?“
They teach me so much! They help me feel the Christ reach me and teach each of us.
I have enjoyed enduring Friendships with people I first met when they were Houseless or they were volunteering with me to help others who were denied the security that I enjoyed. This article could have a photograph beside the first, in which the young man with the expensive suit goes away radiant and grateful with humble awe.
Also, Evan, thank you for the quote from Leo. I learned about him when I was a professional speaker and a new member of a new-to-me branch church, when I was rethinking my different businesses or careers. Leo was not meeting the criteria of public speaking technique and he demonstrated how much more important it is to have that loving heart that makes communication and connection so much more blessed and powerful. On television and in person, he was the first American man I saw hugging other men. And hugging women without any creepy sexuality to it. And now when people see me as an older woman I’m giving more social permission to be, as he, a hugger. I love seeing people’s face and hearing their tone of voice change as I offer them a hug and a wait their consent if they so choose. Or so I love to feel the melt into me and lean into and greatly soak up all that love. And when we step apart I love seeing them stand taller or sit taller and radiate more of their inner true self. So, thank you, Evan, for reminding me of his example of loving. I’m going to look for some videos online of him. He was a powerful angel communicator from God for me in the early 1980s and every message from God is timeless.
Beautifully said, Edith! I wrote a story in my book about my experience with a homeless women for whom I prayed, “The Christ in me is the same as the Christ in you.” and “The Kingdom of God within me is the same as the Kingdom of God within you.”
She was so responsive!!! A pastor who read my book told me this chapter changed his life!
We live among many homeless who used to be noisy until our town bought a $million homeless shelter for them. In two weeks, the drug dealers on the corner moved into the shelter and soon the women and people with children were back onto the street. I ask every lawmaker who asks me for money to build tiny houses for our homeless. One homeless marine who now lives in one of the tiny houses built by Swartzenegger was asked “what is the best thing about living in a tiny house? Is it the toilet or the shower?” “No,” he said, “It is not being bitten by rats and squirrels in the middle of the night – they always got into my tent.” What a revelation!!! May God bless our homeless and keep them well!!
How very true! It’s the little things that mean the most. I treasure
each and every kind thought and caring expressed here. Thank you,
Evan, for making this site possible and thank you All for your smiles
of Love.
Thank you for sharing this Evan—-it’s so true!
Random acts of kindness. All have their origin in God, good.
Thank you Evan, and all!
Was going thru my library of books awhile back and came across a few of Leo Buscaglia works. Such an insightful man. Known for his “hugging”. Thank u for one of his quotes. Thank you Evan and Edith.
Have a beautiful day everyone.
Yes Carol, I remember many years ago my husband and I read his book with the simple title, Love, and saw him speak on his PBS specials on TV in the late 1980’s-90’s. So full of pure joy. He just read thatwas a professor at University of Southern California for many years and wrote about 12 other books.
Wikipedia said “While teaching at USC, Buscaglia was moved by a student’s suicide to contemplate human disconnectedness and the meaning of life, and began a noncredit class he called Love 1A. This became the basis for his first book, titled simply Love.
In some ways people seem more disconnected than ever. His philosophy is much needed. About hugs he said, 5 to survive, 8 to maintain, and 12 to thrive.
More of his quotes at:
https://www.inspirational-stories.com/famous-leo-buscaglia-quotes/
12 hugs to all of you!
Sorry, meant *I just read that he was a professor….
Sorry again, I was directing my reply to *Janet.
‘The Power of Love’:
https://sentinel.christianscience.com/shared/view/1ab3269bdja?s=e
Thank you Evan! It also came to me that being able to “ listen, touch, offer a kind word, smile” is the fellowship that goes on after each church service! It’s where the congregation is embraced and loved by its embers. Which makes in- person services so vital to church! We attend church not only to receive but to give love! To get the full experience you have to be there.
Evan, thank you for this touching and powerful quote by Leo Buscaglia which so poignantly expounds the simple graces of Spirit.
And Edith, for another beautifully written post filled with your life lessons that stir the reader to action. You are a great blessing to this assembly of spiritual thinkers!
And Love is reflected in love.
That love is capital L.
We reflect that Love.
https://journal.christianscience.com/issues/2022/8/140-08/the-book-that-found-him-a-job
August 2022 Journal
The book that found him a job
Oh sorry M, cannot read the whole article.
Could anyone open the full article please?
Just after I read this I walked out my front door and saw a young man sitting in the shade in our complex parking lot I called out to him to see if he needed help. He did not hear me, I went back in and got 2 cold bottles of water, and a cold apple, also a towel that I got wet, (as I live in Phoenix and it will be 109 today) and walked out my front door. He said that he was waiting for his Mom to get off work to pick him up. He said that he just lost his Job. I gave him the items I had for him. He thanked me he asked if he could do something like take out my trash for me. I said, all is well, and that I would be praying for him. He said he would be leaving soon.
I too love that quote, “Love is reflected in love”.
I also found that quote from the article Place by Adam H. Dickey CSJ
“the place you seek is seeking you, the place you need is needing you”
I am so grateful for all the wonderful helpful comments today and always.
Love and hugs
THANKS FOR REMINDING US IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE COMPLICATED TO FIND AN ANSWER.
Rose’s comment: “In some ways people seem more disconnected than ever. His (Leo’s) philosophy is much needed” reminded me of a comforting thought from an article by Marceil Delacy: “… if someone is feeling lonely, to be grateful that divine Love is present in this very moment, which means “I’m already blessed with all the love & companionship that I need because God, Soul, is providing that RIGHT NOW.” From an article posted a few weeks ago (thanks RH!) called “No limits in limitless Mind” by Marceil Delacy:
https://journal.christianscience.com/shared/view/krxmwyc7lw