12 Steps to a Society of Belonging
Step 12: Actively Build Love with Others.
A society of belonging is one that is progressing through positive means. Building a society filled with empathy, laughter and light. To maintain a society where all feel they belong is to actively build love with others. Actively building love is hard, when don’t love yourself (see step 11). WIthout self love you end up loving people with conditions.
The best way to actively build love is to invite people into a safe space. Whether its a girls night out, volunteering at a shelter or just getting on the bus, share your light and love with others, regardless if they realize or accept it. To actively build love with others is an invite for society make honey together. Here are some best practices to actively build love:
- Celebrate difference: Let’s face it, we are different. But our difference doesn’t have to be what separates us. We can decide we want our difference to bring us together. The most popular meal in Hawaii is “the plate lunch” is a mixed plate of american, asian and local hawaiian food creating a fulfilling affordable mean. From macaroni salad, to chicken teriyaki the plate lunch proves many cultures can come together and create something even better.
- Listen to be changed: We so often listen to find confirmation, positive or negative, with our existing thoughts and beliefs. How often do we listen to have our perspective changed? When people are sharing their ideas or stories, try to ignore that confirmation bias, listen to learn instead. Don’t feel rushed to respond, if you don’t understand ask for clarification.
- Remember the golden rule: Some version of the Golden Rule is found in societies throughout history. It is the basis for most religions. Why? Because the law of reciprocity is critical to any thriving society and is the most simple way to actively build love. WHen you find yourself assuming something about a person. Just ask yourself, would I want to be judged this way?
No person is an island and no society can thrive without love. Choose to actively contribute to the love in the world and enjoy the freeing feeling that you belong here and your success and the success of others is one in the same.
