More about love

2.24.10

today was our interfaith/ intercultural breakfast. i was up since 2:30 am and worked until 6:30 pm. but it was a great morning with keynote john maguire, who is the president of claremont university, one of the original freedom riders and close friend of martin luther king, jr. he spoke on king's principles of revolutionizing our world. among many points-- resisting consumerism, reconnecting with spirituality and valuing humanity-- the one that stood out the most to me was L O V E...

bell hooks writes about approaching love as a verb rather than a noun. the idea that love is an action requires accountability on my part. instead of it just existing somewhere in a space between you and me, i actually have to work at it and exercise it with intention.

this is the year of love. love in all kinds of forms. love of my partner. love of my child. love as a family. love of my people. love of my community (ies). tough love. love that isn't traditional. love in sisterhood. love in art. love in social justice. and love amidst adversity.

i'm so blessed to be surrounded by people who model love the way it should be used. it allows me to grow and learn how to use love in my relationships, in my work and in my interactions with others to transform this place of ours. i remember mom asking me as a kid what "mahal kita" meant. i replied, "we... are... rich?" indeed we are.