Manifesting Love

Have you ever looked at the world and wondered what your role in its transformation could be? I have recently been observing the state of our world with a sense of growing concern. It’s evident in the disarray of our personal, political, social, and international relationships. And when we consider our track record in caring for the natural world, there’s much to be concerned about. Amidst this, I often find myself pondering what I can do to help transform this state of affairs.

Jesuit priest and paleontologist Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, a visionary in his understanding of the cosmos, said, “The physical structure of the universe is love.” Reflecting on these words, I’ve come to realize that we are each called to manifest Love where we are, using the gifts we possess. These gifts are embodiments of Love! Rather than becoming disheartened and dissuaded from acting, I recognize that the role I play here can make a difference, sending out ripples by being Love in my corner of the world.

I cannot change everything. Neither can you. Rather than trying to move the entire mountain, perhaps we are most effective when we pick up our tools to chisel away at what we can. Instead of sinking into despair over the “state-of-things,” we can act right here and now, doing what we can.

I often think about the young adults I know who work with the Appalachia Service Project (ASP). ASP has been changing lives one home and family at a time in Appalachia, a region covering parts of Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina. One might wonder what difference it makes to repair one home or replace a single home damaged by natural disasters. But it’s clear that these acts make people’s lives better – warmer, safer, and drier. These young adults and the volunteers they assist embody Love through their actions, changing the world one step at a time.

Right where I am now, I can change lives through simple acts of kindness. Sharing a kind word or action, offering a listening ear or a helping hand as my gifts and abilities allow. I can take a breath before I respond in even the toughest of circumstances, choosing my words carefully. I begin to see myself as part of something more significant, making tiny ripples here that reach beyond my comprehension.

This is something you could do, too. None of us can “save” or “fix” the whole world. However, we can attend to the corner of the world where we are. I invite and encourage you to make Love real and visible where you are now, today. I will likewise challenge myself to do the same. Let us each take up that intention, occasionally failing and sometimes succeeding. Manifest the good today!

Questions to Ponder

• In what ways can I, as an individual, contribute to spreading love and positivity in my immediate community, and how might these small actions collectively lead to larger societal changes?
• How does working within a community, like the Appalachia Service Project, enhance our ability to make meaningful changes, and what can we learn from such collaborative efforts about the power of collective action?
• What are my unique gifts and abilities, and how can I use them to manifest love and positive change in the world around me, especially in challenging times?