Welcome to the first edition of my new monthly blog. The first week of each month will feature a new blog topic. My focus in the blog will be work – life balance. Each month I will try to “drill down” on what I believe are the elements of finding that elusive balance. I trust my messages will move you to comment or get in touch with me. Since February is the month of Valentines Day my blog will ask you to consider the power of love from a business perspective. Enjoy!
Fill your World with Love
Overheard outside a concert hall:
“What a singer, his voice filled the hall.” “Yes several of the audience had to leave the hall to make room for it.”
Overheard outside a marriage counseling session:
“How can I love my partner as I am expected to? How can I give him my whole heart?”
“You must first empty your heart of all created things.”
Don’t be mislead by these admonitions, be free to fill your heart with the people you love and the things you love, for that love will not take up more space in your heart than a singer or the love of a partner.
Love is not like a loaf of bread. When you give some away there is less to offer to others. Love is like a Eucharist. You receive the whole, and so does the next person and the next.
Remember you can love your mother with your whole heart, and your children, your husband, your wife and your friends. As Anthony DeMello wrote “The wonder of love is that giving the whole of your love to one doesn’t keep you from giving less to another.” Think about it for a moment, each person you share with now gets more. If you only give love to one and no one else, your offer of love is rather feeble. Your loved ones would all gain more if you also love others fully.
As you embark on your annual recognition of Valentines Day, why not consider the meaning of DeMello’s words and show your love in a way you can grow it. Have you ever thought about making this season one that is exponential in terms of sharing love? Why not challenge your employees to share time with a kid at the YMCA. Volunteer time through United Way’s Volunteer Center. Do it as a group or as couples. Make your actions make a difference. During these harsh economic times, for organizations such as Salvation Army, New Horizons and our local food pantries, February is a very challenging time. It is my understanding that it is the toughest month, a time when the shelves become empty or under-stocked. Consider with your colleagues at work a food drive for Wafer, Meals on Wheels, or to assist the Hunger Task Force.
February starts the new campaign year for United Way. This organization impacts 1 in 2 residents in La Crosse County and 1 in 3 residents in the five county Great Rivers Region it serves. It does this using less than 12% of all funds for administrative costs. As of January 8, programs that are funded are at capacity. This means that the need is greater than ever. Why not create a company Eucharist of giving this Valentines Season; and when you do, the whole of your giving will become greater than ever. Now that would be a real expression of Love!
“All you need is love, love. Love is all you need.” – John Lennon
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