At the end of this past summer my wife, Rachel, and I went to a concert. What made this concert so special and different was that it moved me like no other show ever had. Truly moved me. It was a Michael Franti concert, part of his “2023 Big Big Love Tour”. So for two hours he was playing music that moved not just me but seemingly everyone in the concert hall, not just with his upbeat rhythms, but more amazingly with the message he was sharing before, during, and after each song. Not that I hadn’t heard and read about the power of love previously, but his delivery was different; it hit home like never before. You see, whether you’re brown or white, red or blue, or rich or poor, we all need love. We need to share love. We need to experience love. And maybe more importantly, we need to understand that our perception of love may be different than others around us. When we finally understand that, that is embracing the real meaning of love.
Love is the driving force behind human connections, inspiring acts of kindness, empathy, and sacrifice. Love can be seen as the emotional base upon which relationships are built, fostering trust, compassion, and a profound sense of connection. It is a source of joy, fulfillment, and a deep sense of purpose for many. It is a fundamental force that binds people together.
However, love is incomplete without understanding. Understanding is the bridge between individual perspectives, experiences, and feelings. Without understanding, love can be superficial or even misguided, based on assumptions and stereotypes rather than genuine appreciation of the other person’s uniqueness. True love is a deep, profound understanding of someone, with all their strengths and weaknesses, quirks and idiosyncrasies.
Love and understanding together create a special form of reciprocity. Love inspires us to seek understanding, and understanding deepens our capacity to love. When we love someone, we are motivated to know them better, to uncover the nuances of their character, and to appreciate their experiences.
Love and understanding are not limited to individual relationships but also play a crucial role in creating unity and harmony among diverse groups. A society embracing love and understanding is more inclusive, empathetic, and compassionate. It is a place where differences are celebrated rather than feared, where conflicts are resolved through dialogue and compromise rather than hatred and violence. When people accept the experiences and perspectives of others, it becomes easier for them to develop an understanding and, in turn, love for those who are different from them.
And that my friends is truly “Big Big Love.”
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As I See It 