What is the “L” in L.O.V.E.

This is a derivation of the Zibu symbol for unconditional love that incorporates the different colors and shapes of diversity.

“There can be no TRUTH without l.o.v.e.”

To be heard, isn’t that what we all want to some point.

To truly be given the chance to speak and for someone else to be listening…really listening.

Using their ears but not their pre-conceived opinions.

Using their minds but not their perspectives.

Listening to understand your world and not impose theirs.

That kind of Listening is rare indeed.

So it may not be a surprise that the first step to L.O.V.E. is the Listen. 

That’s what the L stands for, Listen.

It may seem easy, it may seem evident.

Nothing is further from the truth.

To listen, with an open mind to any thoughts

To listen, with the strength of heart to remain steadfast when it gets painful

To listen, with the courage to face any outcome of the conversation

To listen with the patience needed to allow the truth to surface.

To listen without judgement, preconceived notions or subjecting your views into the process.

That’s the stuff of legends. 

We can only write about being that good of a listener.

For to truly listen is to remove oneself from the equation, to be there, yet invisible.

To retain but not respond.

To incorporate but not disseminate.

To give by receiving everything unconditionally.

In essence, to bear witness to another’s reality without being part of it.

When I was a teenager, I thought I knew everything - I thought the world revolved around me.

In time, I came to realize that I was both right and wrong.

Knowledgeable and ignorant. Insightful and oblivious. 

Today, I know better for I know that I know nothing at all.

What I got right was that I knew my world, I knew who I was and what I was doing.

What I didn’t know was that although I may be connected to everyone else in the world, their vision, their reality is not mine.

I have no say in it, I have no right to judge it, I have no basis to tell anyone else how to be or not to be.

It was that pivotal moment of realization when I was thirteen that started me on the road to truly listening. I haven’t turned back since.

In fact, every phase of my life generated reminders that I was still learning how to listen.

My friends pounded me with the reality that I knew nothing of reality.

My parents and siblings reinforced that my world is the only world I control.

My colleagues gave me no choice but to work in their worlds and not mine.

My children and wife quickly set me straight when I stepped out of line - when I slipped and started imposing my views over them.

All my influences, all my critics, all my mentors have aided me on the path to being a better listener - and my work isn’t over yet - I still have much to learn if I am to truly know how to “Listen”.

I truly believe that if we the collective peoples of this planet could truly listen to one person for one hour a month - just one hour of our lives - we can significantly shift the world through L.O.V.E.

For we all need to be loved in one way or another - we all need someone to “Listen”.