People love to love and be loved.

Yes, all people.

Freely given love, love with no strings attached, no reward sought by those who set out to love is wildly attractive even to the most hardened of persons.

Such love heals and transforms. It heals and transforms those who find it and are able to trust it (which may take some time) and those who have the confidence to pass it on to others, all others.

Loving others takes enormous courage.

No matter who we are, poor, rich, educated, uneducated, men and women of all nations and languages, all ethnic or religious groups and those with none, have the capacity to love and be loved.

The hard events that come to most people and the brutal toils of life many face may render a person indifferent to loving and being loved.

Even this shell will ultimately shatter in the midst of persevering and freely offered love.

Love drives out fear. Love builds confidence. Love encourages creativity. Love builds community. Love gives each of us a measure of Grace for ourselves and for each other. Love melts defenses.

Fear expels love. Indifference builds suspicion and isolation. Fear stimulates anxiety, reactivity. Fear and anxiety isolates and imprisons people. Alienation makes us demonize and make enemies of others.

Love welcomes.

Love heals.