Once upon a time, I was walking out of a wellness studio and was met by a familiar face sitting on the bench just outside the door. The bench was surrounded by fresh flowers, hanging vines, and the smell of blooming Lugustrum. There was no more traffic exiting the studio, as I was locking up and the last to leave.
Dressed to impress and topped with a hat, the elderly man from the shop next door asked if he could share something with me. Having seen him before I knew he owned the business and was well known for sharing words of wisdom.
“Sure,” I said, “I’ve got a moment.”
“This’ll be quick.” He said. And the man proceeded to ask me if I knew what the letters in the word “love” stood for. Distracted by my next obligation, I quickly replied with “No, tell me.”, stirring slightly with impatience.
His soulful voice trailed on slowly, “Leave others very encouraged.”
Whether it was the way in which he said it or the way he looked like an angel standing in front of the blooming greenery, he had my attention.
Repeating it back to myself, I felt the words make an imprint on my soul. “Leave others very encouraged”, I repeated back. “I like that. Do you mind if I borrow it sometime?”
He nodded, smiling. I thanked him and bid him goodnight as he walked into his shop. Since then, the way I see and say the word love has forever changed.
Love has always been a part of my vocabulary. There has never been a shortage of the word “love” in my family, almost to the point where you would wonder sometimes if it’s a habit to say it or if we mean it. I promise, we do.
I believe that there is more to love than saying “I love you.”
Love is complex and multifaceted. Love comes from a source greater than what our hearts alone can generate. Love is a God-given resource with an infinite supply, and we have direct access to it.
I’ve polled students, grown adults, and family members who have tendency to rate their happiness based on how hard or easy life is. At what point did we get so entitled to think that life will always be good? I think we are all guilty of seeking happiness, avoiding hardship, and underestimating the power of love.
The good news is that our ability to love is not genetic or dependent on our status. Love is choice, love is a habit we can incorporate, especially when we break it down like my wise friend did.
Leaving Others Very Encouraged can start simple.. here are a few simple ways to try;
- Tell someone they are doing a great job.
- Smile more. Wave to a stranger. Give a high five to a coworker.
- Tell the people you love that YOU LOVE THEM.
- Be generous with your time and/or treasures.
- Take time to love yourself.
Our ability to love others well begins with ourselves. As we apply L.O.V.E to our own lives, it becomes easier to leave others very encouraged, or love them well.
Luke 10:27 NLT
My hope for you this week is that you see love a little differently. I challenge you to take inventory of how you are loving yourself and others. If your cup is low, take time to rest and refill. If you are in a state of overflow, take this as your sign that the world needs you!
Sending all my love to you.
<3
Makenna Curtis
Local Pulse Community Writer
Holy Moments Columnist
